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News Release from: TPS | Subject: Manchester Heritage Site
Edited by the Buildingtalk Editorial
Team on 19 May 2004
TPS Helps Restoration Of Manchester
Heritage Site
TPS Schal are currently employed as Planning Supervisors for the Structural Reinstatement of the Murray's Mill Complex, as part of the Ancoats Redevelopment Programme in Manchester.
Murray's Mills, constructed as an urban steam powered cotton spinning factory between 1798 and 1806 is acknowledged as a site of National Significance This significance is due to the date, size, configuration, construction and purpose of the complex and its setting within the Ancoats Conservation Area
This article was originally published on Buildingtalk on 19 Aug 2003 at 8.00am (UK)
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Ancoats was the first suburb to combine industry and housing, and in 1798 George and Adam Murray completed the first phase of what is now Manchester's and the world's oldest surviving steam-powered urban cotton mill.
By 1806 the complex was complete.
It comprised two separate cotton spinning mills the extended Old Mill now known as Old/Decker Mill connected by two warehouse, preparation and office ranges, to form a large single development grouped around a quadrangle.
Within the quadrangle were two engine houses, each housing a Boulton and West steam engine and associated boiler houses.
Also in the quadrangle was a large canal basin, linked to the adjacent Rochdale Canal by a tunnel.
This was the route in for coal and raw cotton, and the route out for spun cotton.
Pedestrian and vehicular access was through an arched opening in the west face of the quadrangle The Great Gate.
Each day 1300 operatives would arrive before 7.00am late arrivals were locked out and lost a day's wages.
Apart from controlling operatives, the layout was a defence against theft, vandalism and riot.
When completed Murray's1 Mills were a marvel.
Visitors came from the rest of Britain and America to see the vast building, housing powered machinery, illuminated by gas light and operated by 1,300 men women and children.
At a time when Napoleon sought one future for Europe, Murray's Mills showed the way the modern world was really going.
Within 10 years of completion, the mills were radically re-structured to take larger and more efficient spinning frames.
The buildings had originally been constructed to carry light loads and efforts were regularly made to increase carrying capacity as machinery became bigger and heavier.
They remained in use for cotton spinning until the late 1950's an amazing 160 years.
As the commercial value of Murray's Mills reduced, so did any regular maintenance.
The buildings, weak to begin with, were now subjected to water penetration, timber decay, and failing masonry.
Today the buildings are closed, and are in a very fragile condition.
Their condition does not lesson their importance.
They are amongst the most significant survivals of the Industrial Revolution.
They are listed Grade 11* as buildings of special architectural or historic interest, which puts them in the top 6% of listed buildings in England.
They are located within the Ancoats Conservation Area, and are within an area shortlisted for designation by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
Their repair and re-use is important for the social and technological history of the country, and for the regeneration of Ancoats.
For the past four years, Ancoats Building Preservation Trust has been working to ensure the permanent repair and re-use of the buildings.
Supported by Ancoats Urban Village Company, Manchester City Council, English Heritage and many other partners, an application to the Heritage Lottery Fund for substantial grant aid has been approved.
As a result, work is now about to commence on the complete repair of the buildings, including the reinstatement of the central courtyard and canal basin.
On National Heritage Open Day in September last year.
The trust together with over 40 volunteers, which included all the consultants for the project, opened up five storeys of the mills to the public.
The day was a huge success with over 600 members of the public Queuing in the bright, warm autumn sunshine to be escorted round the complex.
The result was lots of well-deserved compliments for the proposed work and lots of interest in the history of Ancoats both from those with an interest in its development and from the people who actually worked there.
TPS Schal are privileged to be part of the team for the development of Murray's Mills.
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