New Mills (Buildings 72-75), Kingston Mills

NEW MILLS (BUILDINGS 72-75), KINGSTON MILLS, BRADFORD ON AVON

A former woollen mill complex dating from the mid-19th century, later altered around 1900 for rubber production. The buildings are constructed of coursed rubble stone with slate roofs and occupy a long rectangular plan.

The complex was built in two principal phases. The first phase comprised a four-storeyed range of eight bays with a single-storeyed extension of seven bays at the south end. Shortly after 1869, the extension was raised to match the height of the original range, creating a four-storeyed range of fifteen bays. At the same time, an adjoining three-storey transverse building with a hipped roof was attached at the southern end. A further addition to the rear was constructed before 1885 and is thought to have contained an integral engine house.

EXTERIOR

The mill presents two distinct sections. The main elevation faces west onto Silver Street.

The north section comprises eight bays with an attic storey and a full-height external stair tower attached to the centre of the north end. Windows are small two-light flat-headed openings with square mullions and ashlar jambs, each light divided into three panes by two narrow horizontal glazing bars. The sixth bay from the north displays circular-headed loading doors in the second and third storeys, surmounted by a triangular pediment carrying the date 1869 on an ashlar band. The rear (east) elevation contains similar windows to the front, though many are blocked. Cross-shaped metal braces to main floor joists are visible externally.

The south section comprises seven bays and incorporates an earlier single-storey building with segmental-headed windows, whilst the upper floors match the construction and fenestration of the 1869 section. Side elevations show larger tie-plates. Loading doors are similar in style to the northern section, though several original examples have been replaced with 20th-century double-width or sliding doors. A chimney that served the engine house and boiler house on the ground floor has been removed, evidenced by the absence of windows in the second bay from the south end. The rear elevation similarly displays a bay without windows corresponding to a former second chimney.

The transverse building features a hipped slate roof with two tall flat-headed windows to front and rear elevations. The west elevation has two segmental-headed windows with top-hung casements, a tall twelve-pane window at first floor, and a square window on the second floor. Two blocked round-headed openings are visible either side of the first-floor window. Rear elevation windows are similar, with a lean-to building attached at ground-floor level. The south elevation is partially obscured by adjacent north-lit workshops. A blocked segmental-headed window appears at first floor with a further blocked example on the second floor; a doorway to the right is accessed via a metal fire escape.

INTERIOR

The north section roof comprises timber principals mounted on sole plates, with two ranks of butt purlins attached to the principals using cast-iron brackets. Floors are of conventional joisted construction with timber beams supported by a single row of columns possessing four-sided bolting faces. Externally, floor beam positions are marked by small cast-iron tie-plates. Bolt holes in the beams indicate various arrangements of line shafting may have been employed. Each landing accesses floors via a wide segmental-headed door from the stair well. Ground-floor alterations include the insertion of rolled steel joists supporting the timber floor above.

The south section roof is of king-post construction with angled struts and contains no separate attic. Floors sit at different levels to the 1869 mill and are reached by flights of steps. An internal wooden staircase occupies the south-east corner, and a lift shaft has been installed to the third floor.

The transverse building has whitewashed internal walls with a wooden staircase providing access to upper floors. Historical sources indicate the building was converted to a boiler house in the early 20th century, housing two boilers now removed.

HISTORY

The woollen trade in Bradford on Avon was well established by the end of the medieval period. A series of trade depressions during the early 19th century affected the town's economy and led to decline in cloth manufacturing. New Mills forms the western end of the extensive Kingston Mills complex on the north bank of the River Avon. Originally built for cloth production, the first phase of the complex was constructed in 1869 by James Harper and Thomas Taylor, who operated it as a woollen mill. Woollen production ceased in 1898, shortly after which the empty factory was acquired by Spencer, Moulton and Co, whose rubber factory occupied the adjacent Kingston Mills site. Rubber manufacture continued at the site until closure in 1992.

The mill complex represents an interesting example of 19th-century woollen production with the great majority of its structure and plan remaining intact. Its later conversion and association with rubber manufacturers Spencer Moulton adds to its historical significance. The complex contributes significantly to the character of the town and possesses good group value with the adjacent former rubber store.