Weavers' Triangle

Not to be confused with the framework Weaver's Triangle
Weavers' Triangle Visitor Centre
Shown within Burnley town centre
Established 26 July 1980
Location 85 Manchester Rd, Burnley, Lancashire, England
Coordinates 53°47′11″N 2°14′46″W / 53.7864°N 2.2461°W
Type Cotton museum
Website Official website

The Weavers' Triangle is an area of Burnley in Lancashire, England consisting mostly of 19th-century industrial buildings at the western side of town centre clustered around the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. The area has been identified as being of significant historic interest as the cotton mills and associated buildings encapsulate the social and economic development of the town and its weaving industry. From the 1980s, the area has been the focus of major redevelopment efforts.

History

In the 1700s, Burnley like Marsden and Colne was a centre of the wool industry. It switched to cotton in the first half of the 1800s.[1] Hargreaves hand-operated spinning jenny was introduced in Blackburn in 1767, the model patented had 16 sixteen spindles and was treated with suspicion. It produced thread suitable for weft. Arkwright's power-driven water frame produced twist (suitable for warp) was more unpopular. In 1777, Arkwright built a mill at Birkacre in Chorley. By 1779, the momentum against power-driven spinning machinery was such that rioters destroyed it. Spinners and investors were driven from Blackburn and Burnley towards Manchester, and it was many years before a spinning mill was built in Burnley.[2]

In the early 1790s, construction of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal resumed after a decade-long suspension caused by the American War of Independence. During this time, the increasing economic importance of coal led to a change in the agreed. but disputed, route of the canal. It was moved south, away from Clitheroe’s agricultural lime, to a more expensive route via the Burnley Coalfield.[3] At Burnley, the route almost encircled the town, passing through fields outside it. Although weaving existed in the area, it was a woollen industry for local markets. The canal's opening coincided with the rise of cotton weaving and the use of steam power in textile mills, allowing greater freedom in their placement.

The 1840s proved pivotal to the development of the area. Firstly the canal company began allowing mills to take the water they needed for steam engines directly from the canal.[4] In 1848 the East Lancashire Railway opened to the barracks near the western end of Trafalgar Street. And in 1849, the Manchester and Leeds Railway opened a branch from Todmorden to Burnley (extended soon after). A goods shed was sited at Thorneybank at the eastern end of Trafalgar Street, where the town’s cinema stands today. Of the many new Cotton Mills subsequently constructed along the canal, this meant that the greatest concentration formed in what was then part of the township of Habergham Eaves.

The second half of the 19th century saw Burnley develop into the most important cotton-weaving town in the world.[5] As Burnley expanded, the area later to be known as the weavers' triangle, officially became part of the town in 1894. By 1911, the towns textile industry was at the height of its prosperity, there were approximately 99,000 power looms in operation,[5] and its population had grown from 4,000 (1801) to over 100,000.

The almost terminal decline of the English cotton industry in the decades that followed World War II, brought great difficulties to the local economy. During successive attempts to regenerate the town, many of the mills where demolished, however most in the triangle area where protected and today stand as monuments to the past.

Architecture

The Weavers triangle is notable for the juxtaposition of so many 19th-century buildings rather than specific building. Ashmore in his work on industrial archaeology, does however point out certain specific buildings of interest.[1]

Canal warehouses

At Manchester Road Wharf on the southern side of the canal, there is a group of 3 warehouses each of a different age and style. On wharf I SD8387 3228 53°47′12″N 2°14′47″W / 53.7866°N 2.2463°W there is an 1801 built two-storey stone warehouse of 7 by 3 bays. it was built parallel to the canal allowing direct unloading from the barges using catshead cranes. On wharf II SD 8385 3235 53°47′14″N 2°14′48″W / 53.7872°N 2.2466°W there is a single-storey open-fronted stone warehouse. This was built in the 1890s. The roof is supported by 4 rows of full-height cast-iron columns. This type of warehouse remained a feature of dock architecture well into the 20th century. On wharf III at SD8383 3232 53°47′13″N 2°14′49″W / 53.7869°N 2.2469°W is a four-storey 1841 stone-built warehouse, that is parallel to the canal. The floors and the queen post truss roof are supported by cast-iron columns. On the road side there is a projecting three-storey loading bay.[1]

Weaving sheds

A traditional weaving mill would have a two- or three-storey preparation area for pirning the yarn, beaming and sizing attached to an engine house with a 500 hp mill engine, boiler house and chimney. The line shafts from the engine would pass into a large single-storey weaving shed with its characteristic sawtooth roof with north lights. Weaving was the principal activity here, the larger spinning mills of the Oldham Limited of the late 19th century ware built in towns further south. The Burnley loom was a narrow loom that produced grey cloth suitable for printing. Here we find many such stone-built mills such as the Waterloo Shed north of Trafalgar Street and the Wiseman Street Shed, the Sandygate Shed (c1860), and the brick-built Woodfield Mill (1886).[1]

Spinning mills

Victoria Mill SD833326 53°47′20″N 2°15′18″W / 53.789°N 2.255°W early four-storey spinning mill from the 1850 built on Trafalgar Street for throstle spinning, There was however a small attached weaving shed.[1]

Combined mills

Trafalgar mill to the west of Waterloo shed is an example of a combined mill- one that did the spinning and then passed the yarn to its own weaving sheds. This was a four-storey stone built in 1840 as mule spinning mill and later extended with attached weaving sheds. Sprinkler systems became essential in the 1880s and a water tank was added. Clock Tower mill, on the north side of the canal east of Sandygate was another. It was built c. 1840 by George Slater; there were four- and five-storey spinning mills by the canal and a six-storey 5-by-9-bay with a clock tower, the weaving shed was to the east. John Watts (Burnley) Ltd ran the mill from 1890 to the 1980s.[1]

Foundries

Burnley was the home to the Burnley Iron Works SD 836326 53°47′20″N 2°15′00″W / 53.789°N 2.250°W a large engineering firm, which made mill engines including the Harle Syke engine displayed in the London Science Museum. Butterworth & Dickinson, Harling and Todd and Pemberton had foundries and built looms here. Globe Iron Works was firstly used by but was taken over in 1870 by Butterfield and Dickinson. The Waterloo Iron works was owned by Onias Pickles, who acquired the business of Thomas Sagar manufacturing plain Burnley looms. In 1887 it was bought by the Pemberton Brothers who continued in manufacturing until 1963.

Visitor Centre

Steam engine, Oak Mount Mill

In 1977, the Burnley Industrial Museum Action Committee was formed to work for the preservation of the town's heritage. The Weavers' Triangle Toll House museum was established in on 26 July 1980, and opened by Brian Redhead.[6] and is staffed by volunteers the Weavers' Triangle Trust. It was initially housed in 2 rooms of the former canal offices on Manchester Road, but expanded into the adjacent wharfmaster’s house in 1987 and was renamed to the Weavers’ Triangle Visitor Centre. It has also received accreditation from Museums, Libraries and Archives Council.[7] In 1993 they took over the engine house and chimney at Oak Mount Mill. In 1996, a project began to restore the steam engine at Oak Mount Mill with funding from the National Lottery, Burnley council and the Museums and Galleries Commission.[8] The restoration project was completed in 2001, with an electric motor powering the engine as replacing the boiler was deemed too expensive.[9] Both the engine and the building are now listed as Scheduled Ancient Monuments.

Geography

The Burnley Way passing Sandygate Bridge

The Weavers Triangle's 19th-century industrial landscape forms the south western edge of the town centre in Burnley, it adjoins the civic, cultural and commercial centres of the town. It is bounded on the south-west by established housing. The River Calder passes through the town, and is joined by the River Brun. The Leeds and Liverpool Canal is the spine around which the Weavers Triangle developed when it was built in 1796 giving Burnley access to Liverpool and a supply of cotton from the Mississippi Basin and Egypt, and coal to power steam engines. The level of the canal is more than 10 metres above that of the rivers. The canal passes south west of the Calder, before turning north north east and crossing the two river valleys on a straight 1,350 yards (1,234 m) long 60 feet (18 m) high, embankment.[10] It passes over the Calder at 53°47′11″N 2°14′16″W / 53.7865°N 2.2378°W and the Brun at 53°47′50″N 2°14′05″W / 53.7972°N 2.2347°W.

The heritage area of the Weavers’ Triangle is defined by an area bounded by Manchester Road, Trafalgar Street, Westgate and Queen’s Lancashire Way. In planning terms the Weavers' Triangle development area expands further south-west, and along the canal to Finsley Gate bridge.

Burnley Way passes through the area and along the towpath of the canal starting and finishing at the Visitor Centre. The Caldervale railway passes to the south, and Manchester Road station is approximately 200 metres from the visitor centre, 53°47′11″N 2°14′47″W / 53.7865°N 2.2464°W. The East Lancashire Line passes to the north, and Barracks station is nort of the site.

Regeneration

1980s

In April 1987, Clock Tower Mill, was damaged by a fire that rendered the building unusable.[11]

1990s

Burnley wharf on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal
Former warehouse at Burnley wharf
Finsley wharf
Former Iron Works and Hammerton St

Between 1990 and 1996 extensive refurbishment took place at Trafalgar Mill funded by the ERDF, English Heritage and Burnley Council. The work included re-roofing, repointing, sand blasting the walls and replacing windows.[12] Parts of the building have been let to local businesses.

In the mid-1990s Burnley wharf (of which the visitor centre is a part) was restored in a joint project involving British Waterways. The £1 million project included a bar and restaurant in one of the former warehouses.[13]

In March 1996, Mile Wharf Ltd and British Waterways started work to turn Finsley Wharf into a marina and leisure complex.[14] In 1996 a bid was submitted to the Millennium Fund for a £2.5 million scheme to provide a visual arts centre and public square and to widen the canal to provide extra moorings, it included reconstruction of the clock at Clock Tower Mill.[15]

Slater Terrace

In 1998 Liverpool-based Millview Developments purchased Sandygate Mill as part of a plan to turn Slater Terrace weavers' cottages into a luxury canalside hotel.[16] The scheme collapsed in 1999, when Millview could not find an interested buyer.[17] In June 1999 a fire gutted the upper floors of Sandygate Mill.[18]

In 1999, after three years in the planning stages, work started to restore the former Proctors' Iron Works in Hammerton Street, between the town centre and the triangle area.[19] It was hoped that a nightclub and hotel complex and street improvements would encourage future investment on the canal side. The project received funding from the ERDF and English Heritage, and the nightclub component proved successful.

2000s

In May 2001, a deal was announced between British Waterways and Nelson-based NEL Construction to redevelop Finsley Wharf. The £1.2 million project would include office space and a canal side pub and restaurant.[20] In early 2002 Millview offered its property in the area for sale, alongside Victoria Mill which was already on the market.[21] A structural survey showed Clock Tower Mill to be in a dangerous condition. Demolition was the only viable option and was completed in January 2004.[22] In February Globe Works was demolished.

In April 2004, Birmingham-based St. Modwen Properties purchased Healey Royd and Finsley Gate Mills.[23] In May, Rossendale-based Hurstwood Developments purchased the Millview properties and began work on a new plan for the area and acquired Victoria Mill.[24] In April 2005, Amberfell Estates received outline planning permission to demolish part of Thorneybank Mill in Nelson Square, with a view to building 24 homes. In March 2006 it was announced that a £260 million master plan for redevelopment of the whole area, had been drawn up to attract developers to the project.[25]

Healey Royd and Finsley Gate Mills, Finsley wharf

At the end of the month, St. Modwen released a plan for a £10m redevelopment of their site. Under this plan Healey Royd Mill and the surrounding land would be used for housing and Finsley Gate would be converted into a business space complex.[26] On a related visit to the town, English Heritage Chief Executive Dr Simon Thurley announced the appointment of two new specialist advisors to the project.[27] Towards the end of the year Hurstwood submitted £50 million plans for properties on the site, including an 800 capacity music venue, restaurants, offices and homes.[28] In April 2007, a fire (believed to be arson) destroyed a section of the roof of George Street Mill.[29] In September, plans were released by the Elevate to redevelop the Victoria Mill complex. Based on the "Fashion Tower" concept suggested by Tony Wilson and his partner, 'Weave' was envisaged as a mixture of textile museum and designer fashion centre.[30] A month later Hurstwood placed all its properties on the market.[31] At the start of 2008, Hurstwood were persuaded to return and submitted revised plans. They stressed the urgent need to begin construction.[32] Approximately £5 million of National Lottery and NWDA funding was secured for complementary heritage projects in the triangle.[33] In February, on a visit to Burnley, Prince Charles travelled along the canal to inspect the state of the mills.[34] In April Accrington-based Valegate submitted plans to redevelop the George Street Mill site including the demolition and rebuilding of much of the mill, with additional buildings to create a 167 unit apartment and shopping complex.[35]

By now the world financial crisis was felt. Over the summer, three of Hurstwood’s property arms collapsed into administration.[36] In October it was announced that due to the financial climate the project was to be suspended for at least 2 years.[37]

Woodfield Mill following the fire of 2008

In November, a large part of Woodfield Mill (next to Victoria Mill) was demolished after a fire that destroyed the three-storey warehouse.[38] In January 2009, former Chairman of English Heritage, Sir Neil Cossons was appointed to chair the steering group responsible for reinvigorating the site.[39] At the start of April a £4.9m NWDA grant enabled Burnley Council to purchase Hurstwood’s sites and the neighbouring premises of Dexter paints.[40] Later that month, £65,000 was requested to save the former Neptune Pub. The 200-year-old, three-storey building is believed to be the oldest remaining structure in the area.[41] Despite failing to secure planning permission the previous year, Valegate opted to proceed with the demolition of George Street Mill and submitted updated plans in May, which were again rejected.[42] In June, St. Modwen decided to demolish Finsley Gate and Healey Royd mills.[22] In September, repair work, funded by Burnley Council and NWDA, began on Victoria Mill and the Neptune Building.[43]

2010s

In April 2010, Burnley Council admitted that plans would have to be revisited, as the current schemes were unlikely to be feasible in the near future.[44]

In June 2010 it was announced that the NWDA, and other Regional development agencys, were to be abolished.[45] June saw another attempt by Valegate to secure planning permission for the George Street Mill site.[46] Despite demolishing everything but the external walls, Amberfell never started construction on the residential development and the Thorneybank Mill site was sold to Balmers Garden Machinery, the long term occupants of the remaining section of the building. In September 2010, Balmers £3 million plans to extend into the vacant site were deemed inappropriate for the area.[47] In October, the Valegate site was for sale.[48] It was confirmed that additional repair work would take place on the council owned site.[49] November saw new plans from St. Modwen, taking into account their desire to demolish the mills.[50] In January 2011, it was confirmed that there would not be an immediate application for money from the new regional development fund.[51]

Queen Elizabeth II visited the Weaver's Triangle in May 2012 as part of the Jubilee tour of the North-West of England.[52]

In 2012 a planning application was submitted to create a £10.1 million University Technical College (UTC) in the Weavers’ Triangle. Following an announcement that £9.5 million had been awarded by the Education Funding Agency in July 2012 major construction work began on the site of the Grade II listed Victoria Mill complex, aiming to form part of wider plans to regenerate the surrounding area.[53]

In February 2013, part of the Weavers’ Triangle was rebranded 'On the Banks' by Burnley Council, in a bid to attract investment and transform it into a vibrant £100 million development for business, living, leisure and education. The development will include public spaces, office and creative work space, and homes, with leisure and retail centres on the water’s edge. [54]

The UTC Lancashire Visions Learning Trust officially opened in August 2013; the first UTC in Pennine East Lancashire. [55] The college provides technical studies for students aged 14 to 19, combining traditional education programmes with employer-led technical training, including apprenticeships to address the local skills gap in engineering, advanced manufacturing and construction industries.[56] Liverpool John Moores University and the University of Central Lancashire are the university sponsors of Visions Learning Trust; enabling learners to access clear progression routes into Higher Education. [57] [58] While the National Skills Academy for Nuclear, North West Aerospace Alliance and the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport are the strategic sponsors of the UTC. Employer sponsors of Visions Learning Trust include Chubb Systems, Cobham plc, Electricity North West, Enterprise plc, National Grid plc, Rolls-Royce plc, Safran Aircelle and Unison Industries.[59]

In July 2014, a new canal footbridge was lowered into place at the heart of the Weavers’ Triangle 'On the Banks' development. The 50 ton Sandygate canal footbridge spans the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, off Trafalgar Street. [60] The canal footbridge opened to the public in December 2014. [61]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Ashmore 1982, pp. 190–193
  2. ↑ Ingle 1997, pp. 4–5
  3. ↑ Clarke, Mike. "The Leeds-Liverpool Canal". www.cottontown.org. Retrieved 2011-03-13.
  4. ↑ Lowe, John (1985). Burnley. Phillimore. ISBN 978-0-85033-595-8.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Burnley". Spinning the Web. Retrieved 2011.
  6. ↑ "Need for helpers on 21st birthday". Lancashire Telegraph. 25 July 2001. Retrieved March 2011.
  7. ↑ Peter Magill (23 March 2010). "Burnley textile museum celebrates 30 years". Lancashire Telegraph. Retrieved March 2011.
  8. ↑ "Full steam ahead for Weaver's Triangle". Lancashire Telegraph. 11 July 1996. Retrieved March 2011.
  9. ↑ "Mill's steam engine sparks back into life". Lancashire Telegraph. 22 November 2001. Retrieved March 2011.
  10. ↑ Brian Hall (1977). Burnley: A Short History. Burnley: Burnley Historical Society. p. 40. ISBN 0-9500695-3-1.
  11. ↑ "Ten years ago: Fight to save mill". Lancashire Telegraph. 7 April 1997. Retrieved March 2011.
  12. ↑ Property ID 880, Petty Commercial, Accessed March 2011
  13. ↑ "Troubled pub taken over". Lancashire Telegraph. 10 May 1997. Retrieved March 2011.
  14. ↑ "Canal marina complex a dream scheme". Lancashire Telegraph. 5 March 1996. Retrieved March 2011.
  15. ↑ "Lottery cash bid for Weavers' Triangle". Lancashire Telegraph. 17 September 1996. Retrieved March 2011.
  16. ↑ "New lease of life for old print works". Lancashire Telegraph. 20 July 1998. Retrieved March 2011.
  17. ↑ "Hotel firms pull out of Triangle scheme". Lancashire Telegraph. 18 February 1999. Retrieved March 2011.
  18. ↑ "Former printing works gutted". Lancashire Telegraph. 1 July 1999. Retrieved March 2011.
  19. ↑ "New lease of life for old foundry". Lancashire Telegraph. 28 January 1999. Retrieved March 2011.
  20. ↑ "£2m revamp bid for historic canal district". Lancashire Telegraph. 23 April 2004. Retrieved March 2011.
  21. ↑ "Monuments to decline". Lancashire Telegraph. 13 March 2002. Retrieved March 2011.
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 Chris Hopper (11 June 2009). "Plans to demolish two Burnley mills hit by vandals and thieves". Lancashire Telegraph. Retrieved March 2011.
  23. ↑ "Canal revamp talk after firm mill deal". Lancashire Telegraph. 20 April 2004. Retrieved March 2011.
  24. ↑ "New life for old Triangle". Lancashire Telegraph. 21 May 2004. Retrieved March 2011.
  25. ↑ Andrew Hewitt (6 March 2006). "£260m revolution". Lancashire Telegraph. Retrieved March 2011.
  26. ↑ Nick Evans (28 March 2006). "£10m canal plans are unveiled". Lancashire Telegraph. Retrieved March 2011.
  27. ↑ "Heritage chief to visit Weavers’ Triangle site". Lancashire Telegraph. 12 May 2006. Retrieved March 2011.
  28. ↑ Nick Evans (6 October 2006). "New side to the Triangle: £50m plan to revamp rundown textile area". Lancashire Telegraph. Retrieved March 2011.
  29. ↑ "Double mill blaze drama at Easter". Burnley Express. 7 April 2007. Retrieved March 2011.
  30. ↑ Ben Briggs (17 September 2007). "First glimpse of proposed 'fashion tower'". Lancashire Telegraph. Retrieved March 2011.
  31. ↑ Camilla Sutcliffe (12 October 2007). "Burnley Weavers' Triangle bombshell". Lancashire Telegraph. Retrieved March 2011.
  32. ↑ Peter Magill (2 January 2008). "New plans for Weavers' Triangle". Lancashire Telegraph. Retrieved March 2011.
  33. ↑ Peter Magill (18 January 2008). "£2m canal lottery boost". Lancashire Telegraph. Retrieved March 2011.
  34. ↑ "Prince braves weather for canal trip". Lancashire Telegraph. 21 February 2008. Retrieved March 2011.
  35. ↑ Peter Magill (3 April 2008). "Fresh plans for Weavers' Triangle". Lancashire Telegraph. Retrieved March 2011.
  36. ↑ Jon Livesey (17 September 2008). "Property developer vows to complete East Lancs projects". Lancashire Telegraph. Retrieved March 2011.
  37. ↑ Chris Hopper (19 October 2008). "Shock as huge Burnley development plans shelved". Lancashire Telegraph. Retrieved March 2011.
  38. ↑ Catherine Pye (25 November 2008). "Mill blaze hits our heritage, says Burnley Civic Society". Lancashire Telegraph. Retrieved March 2011.
  39. ↑ Peter Magill (13 January 2009). "Heritage expert appointed to oversee Burnley's Weavers' Triangle". Lancashire Telegraph. Retrieved March 2011.
  40. ↑ Peter Magill (2 April 2009). "New hope for Burnley's Weavers Triangle project". Lancashire Telegraph. Retrieved March 2011.
  41. ↑ Chris Hopper (23 April 2009). "Urgent action needed to stop historic Burnley building collapsing". Lancashire Telegraph. Retrieved March 2011.
  42. ↑ Peter Magill (31 May 2009). "Fresh plans for Burnley's Weavers' Triangle development". Lancashire Telegraph. Retrieved March 2011.
  43. ↑ Tyrone Marshall (3 September 2009). "Urgent repairs at Burnley's Weavers' Triangle". Lancashire Telegraph. Retrieved March 2011.
  44. ↑ Chris Hopper (19 April 2010). "Burnley Weavers' Triangle scheme scaled back". Lancashire Telegraph. Retrieved March 2011.
  45. ↑ "North West Development Agency to be abolished". BBC News. 22 June 2010. Retrieved March 2011.
  46. ↑ "Latest plans for Burnley's Weavers Triangle". Lancashire Telegraph. 24 June 2010. Retrieved March 2011.
  47. ↑ "30-year-old Burnley business 'forced out of town' by heritage demands". Burnley Express. 30 September 2010. Retrieved March 2011.
  48. ↑ Tyrone Marshall (20 October 2010). "Weavers project turns on the style in Burnley". Lancashire Telegraph. Retrieved March 2011.
  49. ↑ Tyrone Marshall (21 October 2010). "Work set to make Burnley's historic mills safe". Lancashire Telegraph. Retrieved March 2011.
  50. ↑ Tyrone Marshall (20 November 2010). "Burnley mill to make way for 168 homes, offices and shops". Lancashire Telegraph. Retrieved March 2011.
  51. ↑ Chris Hopper (20 January 2011). "East Lancashire council chiefs bid for £22m investment". Lancashire Telegraph. Retrieved March 2011.
  52. ↑ Official British Monarchy website:Queen's speech in Burnley Lancashire http://www.royal.gov.uk/LatestNewsandDiary/Speechesandarticles/2012/TheQueensspeechinBurnleyLancashire16May2012.aspx
  53. ↑ Burnley.co.uk "UTC-Open for Applications" Posted on 10 October 2012. Retrieved on 22 October 2012
  54. ↑ Burnley Council website
  55. ↑ utclancashire.co.uk " Welcome to a new way of learning"
  56. ↑ Aaron Morby "Barnfield Construction to build £10m Burnley UTC" 7 June 2012. Retrieved on 22 October 2012.
  57. ↑ utclancashire.co.uk " Welcome to a new way of learning"
  58. ↑ Burnley.gov.uk website "Government green light for Burnley UTC funding" 3 May 2012. Retrieved on 22 October 2012.
  59. ↑ "Partners". Visionslearningtrust.co.uk. Retrieved 2013-04-03.
  60. ↑ Burnley Express website.
  61. ↑ Lancashire Business View

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