Buildings of Distinction - Horrocks Mill

Jul, 14 2024

In the late 18th century Preston was in the midst of the industrial revolution. Mill workers spending long hours making ends meat captured brilliantly during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympics.

It was during this time in history that Horrockses, Crewdson & Co – a textile company based in Lancashire – Preston was established. Please watch the following 11 minute film courtesy of Lancashire Archives but don’t feel obliged to donate at the closure of the film –

So you can imagine a great interest for cotton and a high demand for the workers in this industry. It’s not one of the most attractive buildings in Preston and sadly local architects have plans to transform the mill into a series of eight apartment blocks, ranging from two storeys on the Cotton Court site to a maximum of 10 storeys facing Queen Street, as well as four storey townhouses.

Work is expected to begin a some point in 2025 following the process of drawing up detailed designs which will be subject to further council approval.

The site sits within the wider Stoneygate area, which is subject to a regeneration plan designed to boost city centre living, and close to the redevelopment of another former mill site - Dryden Mills - approved earlier this year for 469 apartment properties.

It’s always a shame when renovation work has to take place. Buildings of the past lose a precious part of its heritage and the older generation will still remember it’s original design.

Horrocks Mill though remains one of the most industrial buildings of it’s time. It brought people out of poverty and allowed Preston to shape it’s future as the dominant city of the cotton workforce.

^Alex Ashworth CCG UK Blogger