Broadstone Mill, Reddish

Broadstone Mill, Reddish

Location within Greater Manchester
Spindles	260,000
Location	Broadstone Mill
Coordinates	53°26′02″N 2°09′50″W / 53.434°N 2.164°W / 53.434; -2.164Coordinates: 53°26′02″N 2°09′50″W / 53.434°N 2.164°W / 53.434; -2.164
Construction
Built	1903
Decommissioned	1959
Demolished	South block-1965. North block extant.
Mule Frames	260,000

Broadstone Mill was a double cotton spinning mill on the eastern bank of the in Reddish, , Greater Manchester, in England. Construction of the twin mills commenced in 1903 and was completed in 1907. They closed in 1957, and the southern mill and engine houses were demolished in 1965. The northern block went into multiple usage. It is now part of the Houldsworth Village development. It is used as a centre for small businesses, and a shopping outlet.

The double mills were built next to Houldsworth's Reddish Mills, fronting on the . It is close to Reddish South railway station on the

The Broadstone Spinning Co., Ltd., Reddish, was incorporated in 1903, with the intention of erecting a large double mill. No. 1 mill covered 7,658 square yards, and No 2 mill 8,457 square yards. Each mill was six storeys high, 270 feet long by 143 feet. and .Work commenced on No. 1 mill at the end of 1906, and No 2 mill a year later. The mills contained 260,000 mule spindles, and cost £480,000 when fully equipped . They were entitled to draw water for the condensors directly from the canal at no cost. In 1919 the mills were sold to the Broadstone Mills Limited.

The decline of cotton spinning was accompanied by high farce. In November 1958 the company sold a number of spinning mules as scrap for just over £3,000. By agreement, the machines remained in the mill over the winter. A small number had been broken and removed by April 1959, when the government announced a compensation package for firms that agreed to scrap spinning capacity. As the title in the mules had passed to the scrapman, it was decided that the company was not entitled to compensation amounting to over £60,000, despite the fact that the machinery was still on its premises. Actions in the High Court and the Court of Appeal in 1965 were fruitless.

This was a large six storey double mill with 260,000 spindles. It was built by Stott and Sons, and its features were described as Byzantine in style. Each mill was 12 bays wide and 9 bays deep,the rope race forming a thirteenth bay. The basic bay dimensions were 22 feet (6.7 m) by 15 feet 6 inches (4.72 m), thus, the internal dimensions at the second floor were 266 feet (81 m) by 137 feet (42 m). The rope race is 12 feet (3.7 m) wide internally. At ground floor level a single storey card shed extends the width of the mill; this is 5 bays, 68 feet (21 m) deep.