| Abstract: |
From the world's first steam-driven cotton mill of the 1780s through to the huge multi-storey complexes of the Edwardian era, textile mills are woven into the landscape of Greater Manchester. They are integral to its history, culture and identity. But with the 20th century demise of textile manufacturing, this once ubiquitous building type is under threat. The total floor space in historic textile mills across Greater Manchester is approximately 3,759,800 m² (40,473,164 ft ²), including a proportion that has been adapted for residential use. Of this estimated total, some 1,158,220 m² (12,466,974 ft ²) appears to be vacant or under-used, equating to approximately 31% of the total commercial/industrial fl oor space
in mills across the county. Th ese figures may be compared with those calculated for historic mills in Lancashire, where an estimated 848,212 m² (9,130,078 ft²) of a total 4,295,307 m² (46,234,300 ft²) of floor space was under-used or vacant
in 2012-13; • The occupancy rates varied between the nine boroughs in Greater Manchester, with approximately 82% of the floor space in mills in Oldham in economic use, compared with 47% in the borough of Wigan. However, several empty
mills with large floor plates are in the process of refurbishment for residential use, with a particular focus in Central Manchester. In Ancoats, the repurposing of historic mills has enabled a thriving new community of residents to become established in this depopulated district, providing a model for the regeneration of Manchester’s satellite towns. |
