Alterations to Dean Mills Barrow Bridge Bolton

Production at Dean Mills had ceased in August 1877 following the death of William Romaine Callender jnr. Late in 1883 the Dean Mills estate was purchased by Mr Bowman of the Manchester brokerage firm of Bowman Bros and early in 1884 the mills were taken over by a new concern, the Barrow Bridge Cotton Spinning Company. (Bolton Chronicle 12 January 1884).

Bird & Whittenbury were employed to produce new plans to bring the mills back into production. Proposed works included the alteration of ceiling heights, construction of fireproof partitions, the installation of a sprinkler system and the replacement of all the small-paned windows. The gasometer and retorts were to be demolished and alternative arrangements made for the supply of gas, presumably from the Bolton Gas Works. Additional works included a new range of offices facing the village shop and, to the rear of them, a new warehouse with spinning rooms above. Operations at the mill were to be confined solely to spinning and to this end the entire mill was gutted. However, the new company was unable to negotiate amended terms to the lease. Shortly afterwards Bowman Bros, who were still involved in the new company became bankrupt and all further work ceased.

DEAN MILLS, Halliwell, near Bolton, described by one of the characters in "Coningsby," under the slight disguise of " Milbank," as something "tip top, regular stop-up, quite a sight," are about to be reopened after extensive works of reconstruction and enlargement, carried out from plans by Messrs. Bird and Whittenbury of Manchester. A new story has been added to No. 1 Mill; new offices for clerks and a fireproof warehouse are being added to it. In Mill No. 2 the floors are being taken out and reconstructed, an external stone staircase added, and amongst other additions are new carding shed 154 feet 6 in. by 100 feet, and boiler house. The contract for machinery and, fitting has been let to Messrs. Dobson and Barlow, Kay-street, Bolton. [Building News 4 July 1884 page 38]

Reference        D. O’Connor. Barrow Bridge Bolton. Deane Mills Estate. A Victorian Model Achievement
Reference        Building News 4 July 1884 page 38