Halifax was an important mill town. Here, in the constricted valley bottom of Hebble Brook is a complicated collection of old mills. Probably the best known is Dean Clough to the left of this shot with it's name above the roof in large letters.
The mills are either disused, or have been redeveloped for other uses. Dean Clough is a group of large factory buildings built in the 1840s–60s for Crossley's Carpets, becoming one of the world's largest carpet factories (half a mile long with 1,250,000 square feet (116,000 m2) of floorspace). After years of declining production it closed in 1983, when it was bought by a consortium led by Sir Ernest Hall which developed the Grade II listed site for various commercial and cultural uses.
The converted mills now house about 150 large and small businesses and arts venues including the Crossley Gallery and several other art galleries, and the Viaduct Theatre, home base for the Northern Broadsides theatre company. Phoenix Radio 96.7 FM has its studios in D Mill and Lloyds Banking Group has offices in G Mill.
Dean Clough is now seen as a leading example of successful urban regeneration.
Thank you all for your lovely comments and favs, they are very much appreciated.
I do like this part of Halifax, with it's reused mill buildings. So many mills in other parts of West Yorkshire have been demolished, but her a much more enlightened course has been followed.
Thank you all for your lovely comments and favs, they are very much appreciated.
I do like this part of Halifax, with it's reused mill buildings. So many mills in other parts of West Yorkshire have been demolished, but her a much more enlightened course has been followed.
Ian
Thank you Peter - I was impressed with this part of Halifax.
Ian