Queen Street Mill Darwen 001

Queen Steet Mill, Darwen. rnStarted c1860 by William Cook and George Britten, drapers and Aaron Bury. The business began with 65 looms, possibly in an exsisting building. In 1861 a conventional shed for 196 looms was built. rnCook and Britten withdrew in 1865 and leased the shed to Bury who later ran mills in Blackburn. During the 1870's the mill was occupied by Preston and Wetherhill, Thomas Wetherhill and Son, who failed in 1878, and J and W Tattersall, who were working 220 looms in 1885.rnHodkinson and Shuttleworth took over in 1885, and in 1889 and latter partner became the sole proprietor. Following the retirement of Michael Shuttlrworth in 1909, J.W Mason and W.H Thompson acquired the mill. The shed was modernised in 1920-21. The last weaving firm on the site, the Queen Street Manufacturing Company Ltd took over in 1924 and went into liquidation in the following year. After this time the buildings were used for a varity of purposes, including as a greenhouse. rnMike Rothwell.