Sedgwick Mill (To West Of Junction With Murray Street)

Sedgwick Mill, constructed in 1818-20 and later expanded in 1868, stands to the west of the junction with Murray Street in Ancoats, Manchester. Originally built as cotton spinning and doubling mills for McConnell Kennedy and designed by James Lowe, the complex now partially functions as a clothing factory.

The original Sedgwick Mill is an eight-story structure employing a U-plan with a 17-bay range facing Redhill Street and shorter eight-bay wings at the east and west ends. A narrow north range, dating from circa 1820, connects these wings. A warehouse was added within the courtyard in 1905. The original entrance, located in the west wing, is framed by a stone voussoir arch leading to a courtyard, which provides access to a projecting, fire-proof circular staircase situated at the northwest angle of the main range. A former engine house, originally housing a single beam engine, is positioned at the west end of the main range and is separated by a cross wall that housed an upright shaft. Round-arched engine house windows are partially blocked in the west wall. The west wing initially contained the boilers. The main range exhibits a slightly projecting central section, with small windows featuring flat-arched stone heads in each bay. An electric motor and hoist tower was added against the inner wall in 1909. The fireproof internal construction comprises cast iron columns, cast iron beams, and transverse brick arches. This construction was modified in the 1960s to accommodate larger mules; new columns were inserted on new alignments by William Fairbairn. The east and west wings utilize similar construction.

Sedgwick New Mill is a parallel range located to the north of the site and adjoins the west wing of Sedgwick Mill. It is a five-story building with 15 bays, each featuring wide segmentally arched windows. The structure uses cast iron columns, cast iron beams, and transverse brick arches. A probable horizontal steam engine was previously located in the basement of an adjoining building, while the external stair tower at the southwest of the site housed the upright shaft, and a chimney (only the base remains) is incorporated into the northwest corner of the mill. A two-story range, constructed circa 1888-1898, is situated west of Sedgwick New Mill and housed ancillary processes.

The mills are part of the McConnell Kennedy works, which also include Royal Mill and Paragon Mill. McConnell Kennedy was a significant Manchester cotton firm that merged with the Fine Cotton Spinners and Doublers Association in 1898. Another mill, Long Mill, no longer exists. Sedgwick Mill represents an early example of fireproof construction in a large-scale building, and its courtyard plan is reflective of typical Manchester mill building practices. The layout served as a prototype for mill design, positioning steam-powered mules transversely between columns delineating bays and powered from a single central line shaft on each storey, with preparatory processes located on lower floors.