Saltaire is an industrial village north of Bradford, and it was a Victorian green-field site when the industrialist Titus Salt decided he wanted to concentrate all his manufacturing in one place, and provide good quality housing for his workers. So a mill was built beside the River Aire and named Saltaire after Titus Salt.
When Salts Mill opened in 1853, it was the biggest factory in the world. 3000 workers worked at 1200 looms, producing 30,000 yards of cloth every single day. Workers enjoyed better working conditions than many others in the weaving industry, and were provided by good living accommodation close to the mill, as well as all the facilities that Titus believed his workers needed - schools, social facilities, shops, a church, a hospital, almshouses for the elderly - everything except a pub, since he didn't approve of drinking alcohol.
The decline of the industry in the UK meant that by 1980 the mill was virtually disused and in poor condition. In 1987 Bradford entrepreneur purchased the mill and its restoration began. A number of industries moved in, as well as an art gallery (with a large collection of David Hockney paintings), and a range of shops and restaurants. It's fortunes have been transformed.
The work done in renovating the mill played a significant role in making much of Saltaire a UNESCO World Heritage Site in December 2001.
Great shot of this nice and interesting historical building. A pity you can see all the cars in front of it. ( I nearly always try to avoid it or retouch them )
Thank you for your comments and favs, which got this shot onto the trending page.
It was nice to see this building being looked after - my last visit to Saltaire was many years ago, before it became a World Heritage Site, and it then looked a bit neglected. Sadly, I didn't have time to go round the inside of the mill, because I spent too much time in the nearby Shipley Glen. Still, a good excuse for another visit!
Thank you for your comments and favs, which got this shot onto the trending page.
It was nice to see this building being looked after - my last visit to Saltaire was many years ago, before it became a World Heritage Site, and it then looked a bit neglected. Sadly, I didn't have time to go round the inside of the mill, because I spent too much time in the nearby Shipley Glen. Still, a good excuse for another visit!
Ian