“…Newer industries like framework knitting did become more sophisticated over the century from 1750, but rather than maturing into full industrialisation, it has been argued that instead they experienced a second stage of protoindustrialisation. 73 Two key developments in this period served to cement the dominance of urbaneindustrial centres in the East Midlands. Firstly, manufacturing concerns became larger, as merchant entrepreneurs based in the larger towns set up their own establishments.…”