Mather Lane Mill

The following building shall be added: LEIGH MATHER LANE SJ 69 NE 6/61 Mather Lane Mill GV No 2 II Cotton spinning mill, converted to various uses. 1882 by Bradshaw and Gas, architect of Bolton. Brick in 3:1 English garden wall bond; iron-framed window bays (to E and W). Six storeys (and basement); 6 x 10 windows bays (but square on plan) with carding sheds (3 storeys and basement) attached to S, parallel to Bridgwater Canal but set obliquely to main range. Integral, partly internal engine house to N, stair/sprinkler tower to NW corner, ventilator/dust flue to NE corner. To E and W sides, large windows (small panes) with continuous central iron box columns (in the form of mullions with shaped capitals) which rise uninterrupted through first to fourth floors. Smaller single-light windows to North and South. Panelled corner pilasters and dust flue: Stair/sprinkler tower also panelled with moulded string, courses,rises one full (but subdivided) stage above mill parapet level; large lunette with blind arcade of small round-headed arches; parapet and pyramidal cap. Interior not fully inspected but contains iron girders on Tuscan columns. Mather Lane Mill is one of the more important factory designs by Bradshaw and Gas, an innovatory, technically biased architectural practice. Various features are unusual for the date including the square plan, flat roof and partly internal engine house. The mill is illustrated in E Jones, Industrial Architecture in Britain, 1750-1919 and is notable for its severe classical elevations.

Listing NGR: SJ6629499725