Hollins Grove Mill Darwen 003

Hollin Grove Mill, Darwen.rnThomas Gillibrand's weaving mill at Dob Hole, erected in 1863. Gillibrand had originally been in business as a handloom manufacturerer at Blackburn, before moving to Newbridge Mill Darwen.rnUnlike many Darwen manufacturers, Gillibrand was in the fancy weaving trade, a business probably developed during his early career in the cotton industry. the shed was one of the largest in the town, and appears to have been designed to hold 1000 looms. In 1868 400 operatives were employed. In 1914 the business was registered as Thomas Gillibrand and Sons Ltd. The mill ran successfully throughout the 1930' and by 1950 was weaving a wide range of dress and furnishing cloths and jacquard fabrics in rayon and cotton. In 1955 the mill wove out as a result of bad trading conditions. Following closure Gillibrands leased the buildings as sepaerate units to various non-rextile firms. rnMike Rothwell.