From the Industrial Revolution until the 20th century, Bolton was a major centre of textile manufacture, particularly cotton spinning. During this period, Bolton was dominated by large rectangular brick-built factories, many of which still remain today as warehouses or converted for residential or retail use. In 1929 there were 247 cotton mills in the borough and in 2009 a study revealed that 108 had survived in some form.[1] The others had been totally demolished and their sites used for other purposes.
163 mills are listed below according to the Bolton ward in which they stand or once stood. The great majority of the premises listed represent spinning mills, the remainder weaving sheds.
Notes: 1884-John Stones and Co, New Mills, Astley Bridge 1900-T M Hesketh and Sons Ltd 1925-T M Hesketh and Sons Ltd 1950-T M Hesketh and Sons (Crosses and Heatons Ltd) 1970s Asda
Notes: 1884-Samuel Hollins and Co Ltd 1900-W A Openshaw
1923–1924 Mill No 3 built 1925-W A Openshaw Ltd 1985-Mechanical Services (trailer engineers) Ltd
Notes: 1803-John and Edmund Ashworth 1818-Henry Ashworth 1821–1853 Henry and Edmund Ashworth 1854-Henry Ashworth and Sons 1880-closed as spinning mill 1884-H Ashworth and Sons 1891-Henry Ashworth and Sons, 1200 looms 1949-Weaving shed closed Riding School
Notes: Built on site of Brittania Mill No1 and Spring Mill 1900-North End Spinning Co Ltd, Blackburn Rd 1925-North End Spinning Co Ltd, Blackburn Rd and Tippinges Rd (North End Mill No 2) 1950-North End Spinning Co Ltd, Blackburn Rd and Tippinges Rd (North End Mill No 2, Crosses and Heatons Ltd) c.1960 Canning St No 2,3 and 4 Mill closed 1971 Canning St 1 closed 1985 Site re-developed for housing
Spring Mill
Blackburn Rd
Notes: 1871- Bamber and Mallett Replaced by North End Mill
Notes:Grade II listed buildings (Valley Mill [14] and Brook Mill [15]
separately) 1796-John Wakefield 1820-James Chadwick and Brother 1871-Brook Mill built 1881-Valley Mill built 1886-Brook Mill damaged by fire 1887-Brook Mill rebuilt 1894-Mill No 1 built 1896-James Chadwick and Brother Ltd 1950-James Chadwick and Brother Ltd + United Thread Mills Ltd (J & P Coats Ltd) 1972-Closed down 2001–03 Converted to flats as Valley Mill (nearest in picture) and Brook Mill Engine: 800hp single cylinder engine by Hick Hargreaves, 1884
Notes: 1826-Philip Novelli (with designer Johann Georg Bodmer) 1830–1853 Henry and Edmund Ashworth 1854 Edmund Ashworth and Sons 1880-Old mill destroyed by fire 1891-62,900 spindles 1925 Deakins Ltd 1950 Deakins Ltd + Kohorn Bookcloth Ltd
Notes: 1884-Barlow and Jones Ltd 1891-together with Albert, Prospect, Egyptian and Longlands Mills, Walmersley: Barlow and Jones Ltd, 210,000 spindles 1963-Closed, partly demolished and redeveloped for housing 1966-Closed by Merton Lewis Ltd
1985-Multiple industrial uses, housing
Notes: 1884-Bolton Union Spinning Co Ltd 1891– Bolton Union Spinning Co Ltd, 145,000 spindles 1925-Denvale Spinning Co Ltd 1985-Mill No1 Beloit Walmsley Paper Machinery, Mill No 2 Vacant
Notes:Grade II listed[29] Site formerly occupied by Brookfield Mill (burnt down 1905) Falcon Mill Ltd 1959 Barlow and Jones 1967 Carrington and Dewhurst (trading as Barlow and Jones) 1985 Vantona Viyella Yarns Ltd
Notes: 1884-Arthur Bromiley 1891-Arthur Bromiley and Co, 700 looms 1925– Arthur Bromiley and Co Ltd 1938-Printing Works 1960s–1980s Marston Radiators 1985 Aquarium Stores
Notes: 1853-Nathaniel Greenhalgh and William Shaw 1891-Greenhalgh and Shaw, 76,000 spindles 1900-Greenhalgh and Shaw Ltd 1985-Greenhalgh and Shaw (Courtaulds plc) <2008-Leybourne/ Weymouth St Mill demolished
Notes: 1836-Blair and Burton (cotton spinners Folds Rd) 1843-Blair and Burton, Hope Mills, Foundry St 1853-Robert Burton and Sons 1871-Henry Chandler and Co 1900-H Axon, Son and Co 1985-Lorry park 2016-Housing
Notes: 1820s-Sir Robert Peel 1829-Old Mill Hill Mill burnt down 1836-John Thomasson and Son 1844-No 1 Mill built by Thomas Thomasson 1853-No 2 Mill built by John P Thomasson 1891-Mill Hill Spinning Co, 45,000 spindles 1900-John Thomasson and Son + Mill Hill Spinning Co Ltd 1925-John Thomasson and Son (Crosses and Winkworth) + Mill Hill Spinning Co Ltd 1950-Mill Hill Spinning Co Ltd 1960-Closed as Cotton mill 1985-W J Leigh and Co, paint manufacturers (now part of Sherwin- Williams)
Notes: 1884-Henry Bond and Co 1900-Henry Bond and Co 1930s-Disused 1951-Vantona Textiles Ltd 1985-Multiple industrial uses 2016-Sherwin-Williams paint works
Notes: 1842–1849 Smith and Bell 1857-Barlow Goody and Co 1870-Mill destroyed by fire 1871-John Rostron 1884-Bamber and Co Ltd 1891 together with Waterloo Mill: Bamber and Co, Limited, 50,000 spindles 1900-Mount Pleasant Co Ltd
1927-Mill demolished Car showrooms
Notes: 1861-Mill No 1 built 1871-Mill No 2 built 1884-Lord, Hampson and Lord 1891-Lord, Hampson and Lord, Limited, 83,000 spindle 1950-Lord Hampson and Lord Ltd (Crosses and Heatons Ltd) 1952-Closed as cotton mill 1953-Hargreaves and Hamilton and Co 1960s-Mill No 2 demolished 1985-Hargreaves and Hamilton
Notes: 1790s First spinning mill on site 1820 Stone Mills built
c.1836–1853 Abraham Haigh and Son 1853-Holdsworth Brothers 1880-Stone Mill demolished, New Stone Mill built 1884-Holdsworth Brothers 1925-Holdsworth Brothers Ltd 1990-Demolished Part of site used for storage of new cars
Notes:Grade II listed[46] 1895-Mill No 1 built 1900-Beehive Spinning Co Ltd 1902 Mill No 2 built 1967 Closed as cotton mill 2019 Demolished for housing Engine: 2000hp triple expansion four cylinder engine by Hick Hargreaves, installed 1906
Notes: 1836–1843 Heaton and Brimelow 1857-T M Heaton Charles and Alfred J. Heaton 1884-Derby St Cotton Spinning Co Ltd 1900-Derby St Cotton Spinning Co Ltd T Wilkinson proprietor 1950-Holt Hosiery Co Ltd 1985-K B Textiles and other textile users
Notes: 1857-John Kershaw 1884-John Kershaw and Co 1891-John Kershaw and Co, 1,200 looms 1900-John Kershaw and Co (John Haslam and Co Ltd proprietor) 1985-William Wadsworth Ltd
Notes: 1884-Joseph Crook & Co 1891 50,000 spindles 1925-Bolton Eagle Spinning Co Ltd 1951-Bolton Spinning Co Ltd + Botany Spinning Co Ltd 1960s-Bolton Spinning Co Ltd 1985-Bulmer and Lumb Ltd 1990-The University of Bolton – Eagle Tower
Notes: 1857-Bolling and Slade 1884-Thomas Brown 1900-School
1985-Bolton Metropolitan College 2008-Student Union Offices
Flash St Mills (Pin, Royal George, Royal Sovereign, Great Moor St Mills)[59]
Great Moor St/Ormrod St
1990s
Notes: 1788-Established as Ormrod and Hardcastle 1818-Royal Sovereign burned down 1825-James Ormrod died 1838-Royal George burned down 1857 – 1865 George and Pin Mills built to fireproof standards 1924-Sovereign Mill extended
1925 Ormrod and Hardcastle Co Ltd + Woodeaves Co Ltd 1960s Closed as Cotton Mill 1990s Demolished
Now Mecca Bingo and Casino Engine: 1000hp Vertical triple expansion engine by Victor Coates of Belfast installed 1900. Mill converted to electric drive in late 1950s.
Notes: 1836–1853 William Martin and Son 1857-Peter Martin 1884-Dacca Twist Co 1891 together with Mather St Mill: Dacca Twist Co 1900-Dacca Twist Co, proprietors Rylands and Sons Ltd 1925-Hollas Ltd 2016-G.F.Pennington (office furniture)
Notes: 1900-James Kippax and Son 1925-James Kippax and Son Ltd 1950-Vantona Textiles Ltd c1960s Closed as textile mill 1964-Multiple industrial uses, later demolished
Notes: 1888-German St Mill Co Ltd, Purchased by John Haslam and Co Ltd 1891-German St Mill Co Ltd, 730 looms 1914-Street name changed to Haslam St and mill named changed to Haslam Mill 1925-Haslam Weaving Co Ltd c.1957-Closed as textile mill 1985-British Aerospace PLC 2008-Partly demolished
Notes: 1896-Hodgkinson and Gillibrand 1929-Globe Hosiery Works re-built 1972-Hodgkinson and Gillibrand Ltd moved to Fletcher St 1985-Multiple industrial uses
Notes: 1884-Charles Heaton established 1836 1900-Charles Heaton and Sons Ltd 1940-Hartford Tannery (William Walker & Sons) 1985-Multiple industries Engine:800hp right hand tandem compound engine, named "Elizabeth", by John Musgrave & Sons of Bolton
Notes: 1884-Thomas Taylor and Sons Ltd 1890-Mill extended 1891 together with Grecian Mills: Thomas Taylor and Sons Ltd, 226,000 spindles 1900-Great Lever Spinning Co Ltd 1925-Great Lever Spinning Co Ltd 1965-Closed as cotton mill by Courtaulds Ltd 1971-Demolished for housing 1500hp vertical crosscompound engine by Yates and Thom, 1905
Notes:Grade II listed[69] 1845-First Mill built by Thomas Taylor 1869-Mill extended 1884-Thomas Taylor and Sons Ltd 1891 together with Grecian New Mill: Thomas Taylor and Sons Ltd, 226,000 spindles 1925-Mill extended again c.1960-Closed as cotton mill Multiple users 2015-Cannabis Farm
Notes: 1870-John and William Knowles/ Williams Knowles and Co 1884-William Knowles and Son 1898-John & William Ward later J & W Ward 1920-Ward and Walker Ltd 1921-Ward and Walker Ltd (Crosses and Winkworth Consolidated Mills Ltd) 1930-Disused
Notes: 1857-Johnson Fildes 1884-Jabez Johnson and Son, Allsop and Co
1891 6000 spindles, 650 looms 1900-Jabez Johnson, Hodgkinson and Pearson Ltd 1950-Vantona Textiles Ltd 1964-Closed as Cotton Mill 1985-Vantona Textiles Ltd (Warehousing and distribution + F H Lee paper converter Ltd)
Notes: 1882-Shown on map of Bolton 1884-Crewdon Crosses and Co Ltd 1985-Mostly demolished Site part of Edbro complex, surviving mill building used for pet food manufacture
Notes: 1836-Old Robin Hood Mill, James Arrowsmith and Son 1848-Mill No 1 built 1862-Old Mill (Lever St) destroyed by fire 1881-No 1 Mill destroyed by fire (Messrs Peter Cook and Sons) 1882-Old Mill (Lever St) became Mill No 2 1891-80,000 spindles 1950-Mill No1 Woodeaves Co Ltd + Bowater's Paper Bags 1974-Woodeaves (Courtaulds Group) closed 1985-Mill No 1 Bolton Plastic Components Ltd and Mill No 2 Sundour Fabrics Ltd -Burgess and Ledward Fabrics
Notes: 1871-Crosses and Winkworth 1891 (together with Gilnow and The Pike Mills): Crosses and Winkworth, Limited, 325,430 spindles 1891-Henry Hollins and Co, 10,000 spindles Engine: 1250hp tandem engine by Hick Hargreaves, 1877
Notes:Grade II* listed (Mills 1,2[82] and Mill 3 [83] separately) 1903-No 1 Mill built, Swan Lane Spinning Company Ltd 1906-No 2 Mill built 1914-No 3 Mill built 1963-No 3 Mill closed 1985-Swan Lane Spinning Co Ltd – (Courtaulds PLC) No 3 Mill used by multiple industries. Engine (Mills 1,2): Two cross compounnd engines by George Saxon & Co of Openshaw, 1903 and 1906 Engine: (Mill 3):2000hp triple expansion vertical engine by George Saxon of Openshaw, 1915
Notes: 1871-Harwood and Walmsley 1891-John Harwood and Son 1925-John Harwood and Son Ltd. 1958 Closed as cotton mill 1950s-Farnworth Engineering C Ltd 1984 Demolished and site cleared
Notes: 1864-No 1 mill built 1867-No 2 Mill built 1870-No 3 Mill built 1880-No 4 mill (Marsh Fold) built 1865-No 5 Mill built 1887-No 6 (Bentinck St) and No 7 Mill built 1866-No 8 Mill (Shipton Mill) built 1891-John Musgrave & Sons, 360,000 spindles Engine:2500hp twin tandem engine by John Musgrave & Sons installed 1888
Notes: 1875-No 1 Mill built 1880-No 2 Mill built 1884 John Hebden and Son, Vernon Mills 1891-John Hebden and Son, 62,496 spindles 1900 Bolton Union Spinning Company Co Ltd 1902–1905 Mill No 3 built 19?? Stopped production 1946-Lancashire Cotton Corporation Ltd re-opened mill 1960-Lancashire Cotton Corporation Ltd closed mill 1961-Mills bought by Barlow & Jones and Mill No 1 demolished 1976-Closed by Tootals Ltd 1985 Mill No 1 site landscaped 1985-No 2 Mill used by Dewhurst Dent Holdings Ltd, G & R Dewhurst (CMT) Curtains Ltd, Dewhurst Printing Company
Bow St Mill (Cullen's mill, Old Stone Mill/factory)[93]
Notes: 1860-Mill No 1 built 1884-Richard Harwood and Son 1891-Richard Harwood and Son, 80,000 spindles 1905-Mill No 2 built 1907-Mill No 3 built 1961-Mill No1 demolished 1963-Mill No 3 closed
Notes: 1871-Slater and Beddows 1891-Walker and Brown, 27,500 spindles 1925 Lord, Hampson and Lord Ltd 1950s Edward Law Ltd and Walker Clarkson Ltd 1985 F & H Footwear Ltd
Notes: 1884-Wolfenden and Son 1891-Wolfenden and Son, Ltd, 53,000 spindles 1950-Ormrod, Hardcastle and Co Ltd Engine: J and E Wood. 700hp. Installed 1906.
Notes: 1871-Thomas Wood Heaton 1884-John Knowles and Son 1891 together with Albert, Prospect, Cobden and Longlands Mills, Walmersley: Barlow and Jones, 210,000 spindles and 1,300 looms 1891 together with Mossfield Mill: John Knowles and Sons, Ltd, 85,592 spindles 1950-Barlow and Jones Alligator Self Storage
Notes:Grade II listed building[101] 1843 – 1868 P R Arrowsmith & Co 1868-Destroyed by fire 1871-Salmon and Taylor 1871-Destroyed by fire 1884-Crosses and Winkworth Ltd 1891 together with Rose Hill and The Pike Mills: Crosses and Winkworth, Limited, 325,430 spindles 1960-Closed as Cotton Mill 1985-Multiple industrial use
Notes: 1836-Thomas Taylor and Sons c.1843–1849 Samuel and Thomas Taylor 1853-James Hodgkinson and Co 1891-Hodgkinson (Samuel) and Gillibrand (Norman), 12,000 spindles (Kay & Son) 1896-burned down, company moved to Bridgeman Place (Globe Hosiery Works) 1985-Motor vehicle sales and service, light industry
Notes: c1836-Taylor, Hindle and Co 1849-Messrs Cannon and Haslam 1850s-No 2 and No 3 Mills built 1867-No 2 Mill burned down 1891-John Haslam and Co, Limited, 103,248 spindles 1904-Haslam Spinning Co Ltd c.1960-closed c.1964-Joseph Maude and Co Ltd (No 1 Mill) 1971-No 3 Mill demolished 1985-No1 Mill Beaver Ltd + Northern Quilting 2016-Multiple use
Notes: 1843-James Tomlinson and Co, Cotton Spinners, Waterloo Mill 1853–Thomas Cross and Co, Waterloo Mill 1872-Mill burned down 1884-Bamber and Co Ltd 1891 together with Mount Pleasant Mill: Bamber and Co, Limited, 50,000 spindles 1900-Moorlands Spinning Co Ltd 1925-Peter Crook Ltd 1985-Car Sales / Service
Notes: 1884-John Knowles and Son 1891 together with Egyptian Mills: John Knowles and Sons, Ltd, 85,592 spindles 1900-John Knowles and Son Ltd 1925-Knowles Ltd 1960-Closed as mill 1961-Multiple users 1993 Demolished and developed as housing
Notes: 1857-Lawrence Whittaker, spinner 1882-Shown as machine works on map of Bolton 1895 Ritherdon & Co Ltd, Electro platers and enamellers. 1950s Demolished 1985-Garage on site
Notes: Faulkner, Dillon and Hart / Thomas Dixon / Roger Holland 1801-Dixon, Greenhalgh and Co 1820-Robert Knowles 1830-Robert Knowles and Sons (Round Hill Mills – Four Factories)
1844 Peel Mill No 1 built (aka Turton St New Mill) Robert Knowles and Sons 1852-Robert Knowles (Round Hill Mills), John and George Knowles(Peel Mill No 1) 1855-Peel Mill No 2 built 1861-William Knowles (Round Hill Mills) <1871>-George Knowles and Son 1872-Peel Mill No1 burnt down 1875-Peel Mill No 1 rebuilt 1876–1879 Peel Mill No 3 built (The Glass Factory) 1884-George Knowles and Sons Ltd (Peel Mills), William Knowles and Son (Round Hill Mills) 1891-George Knowles and Sons Ltd, 133,764 spindles 1900–1920 Ward and Walker (Crosses and Winkworth Consolidated Mills Ltd) 1925-Knowles Ltd 1959-Closed as Cotton Mills 1960-Mills 2 and 3 demolished
Notes: 1864-Mill No 1 built 1877-Mill No 2 built 1884-Barlow and Jones Ltd 1890-Mill No 3 built 1891 together with Albert, Cobden and Egyptian Mills and Longlands Mill, Walmersley: Barlow and Jones, 210,000 spindles and 1,300 looms 1967-Carrington and Dewhurst (trading as Barlow and Jones) 1968-Mills No 1 and No 3 demolished 1970s No 2 Mill Barlow and Jones, Prospect Mill (Carrington Viyella Yarns Ltd) No 2 Mill demolished 4 storey building once connected to Mill No 2 survives
Notes: 1801-Jeremiah and Joshua Crook 1809-Crook and Haselden (Crook withdrew 1833) 1836–1843 Executors of John Haselden 1844 James Haselden 1849 Cannon and Haslam 1871-Henry M. Richardson 1930s-Soap Works 1985–2007 Multiple users
Notes: First mill in Bolton Grade II listed building[116] 1777-Site leased by Joseph Blundell 1780 Mill completed James Thweat 1833-John Dean & John Roscoe 1833-Bought by Roger Walker 1843-Robert Walker and Co 1891-Robert Walker, 3000 spindles 1897-Mill extended 1906-Mill extended again 1941-Mill closed 1946-Mill re-opened by Robert Walker Ltd, cotton waste spinner 1979-Mill closed again 1985-Multiple industrial uses 2016-Bolton Probation Office
Notes: 1836-Rowland Hall, Heaton 1842-Lee, Birch & Co 1857-L Birch and A Leibert 1877-Converted to theatre named The Colossal Temple and later Bolton Temple Opera House 1882-Burned down 1985-Car Park
Notes:Grade II listed building[129] Croal Spinning Co Ltd 1967-Closed as cotton mill Engine:1300hp vertical triple expansion engine, named "Shelagh", by Yates and Thom of Blackburn installed in 1908.
Notes: 1884-Robert Entwistle and Co 1891-49 looms 1900-Robert Entwistle and Co Ltd 1962-Closed as textile mill (Vantona) 1985-Littlewoods Ltd Bolton Enterprise Centre
Notes: 1925-Merton Spinning Co Ltd 1950-Merton Spinning Co (Crosses and Heatons Ltd) 1960-Closed as mill and occupied by Buxted 1963 Bolton's tallest chimney demolished 1966-Mill demolished 1985-Site redeveloped for housing
Notes: 1925-Joseph Johnson (Bolton) Ltd 1960s-Joseph Johnson (Bolton) Ltd 1971 Closed as cotton mill 1970s-B A Brown Ltd and Plushpile (Wharf Mill) Ltd Multiple use as Stanley Mill and Wharf Mill Engine: 350hp cross compound engine by J & E Wood
Notes: Lambert Heaton (succeeding John Heaton) 1821–1822 John Mawdsley 1843-Peter Heaton and Sons 1853-Thomas and Joseph Heaton 1860–1872 James Whittaker 1872-William Heaton 1884-Robert Whittaker 1891 together with Lostock Junction: Thomas and Joseph Heaton – William Heaton, 80,000 spindles Engine: 1000hp cross compound engine by John Musgrave & Sons of Bolton installed 1903. Also 1500hp triple expansion horizontal engine by Musgraves, 1901.