Hooley Bridge Mills

Hooley Bridge Mills is a cotton spinning and weaving mill complex, constructed primarily between 1830 and 1840, with significant additions around 1900. A water-powered mill initially stood on the site as early as 1826.

The spinning mill is a long, five-storey block built along the steeply rising Bamford Road. It is constructed of brown brick laid in irregular English bond, with a slate roof. The downhill end features a basement storey, now with a blocked opening and wrought-iron railings on a chamfered stone plinth. Originally comprising 25 window bays, the two northernmost bays were an unbonded extension of unknown date. A fire in 2006 resulted in the loss of these two bays, and significant fire damage to the remaining bays, destroying the original roof, roof trusses, and the upper walls down to the fourth-floor window sill height. The six southern bays of the mill remain largely intact. There are no entrances on the roadside. Stone sills and wedge lintels are present on tall windows spanning the first to third storeys, while the fourth and fifth storeys feature almost square windows. An integral engine house, distinguished by a round-headed window with glazing bars, rises through the first and second storeys, located in bay five. Dentilled eaves coping and round-headed blind gable windows with gable copings are also present. A projecting staircase/toilet tower at the south end has a shallow pyramid roof. An ornate cast-iron fire escape with ornamental brackets incorporating the initials 'CM' in a roundel is located on the southwest side.

The interior of the spinning mill features cast-iron columns supporting fire-proof segmental brick arches, except on the top floor, which has open queen post trusses with raking struts. A fire-proof stone staircase is also present. The mill yard is paved with stone setts. A red-brick block and a two-storey tapering office building, built into the angle between Bamford Road and Hooley Bridge, is at the downhill end. This was likely the engine house supplying power to the weaving sheds and may have been constructed with Accrington bricks and terracotta detailing. The weaving sheds, located close to the River Roch, date to the late 19th/early 20th century and are constructed of white-painted brick with four parallel slate north-light roofs. A taller linking block with entrance and loading doors on the main road and roof lights on the yard side connects the sheds. The weaving shed looms were driven by a Buckley and Taylor compound beam engine, likely installed around 1902.

The site was originally occupied by a water-powered mill built by Joseph Fenton in 1826. The 1848 Ordnance Survey map designates the main range as a cotton mill. The arrangement of the building, situated on a steep hillside close to the river, contributes to its architectural significance. The 2006 fire caused the loss of two bays, part of the roof, and sections of walls, alongside a gate pier (circa 1900), a wrought-iron gate, and front railings.