Chorlton New Mill, Cambridge Street

Image: © David Dixon Taken: 25 Oct 2013

Chorlton New Mill, built for Hugh Birley in 1814, is probably the earliest surviving example of a fire proof mill* in Manchester. It, together with its attached chimney, is a Grade II listed building (English Heritage ID:387963 http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-387963-chorlton-new-mill-and-attached-chimney- British Listed Buildings) During the mid-nineteenth century, this area, then known as “Little Ireland”, was one of Manchester’s worst slums; today, like many of Manchester’s old industrial buildings, these fireproof mill buildings have been converted into apartment blocks (http://manchesterhistory.net/manchester/tours/tour7/area7page9.html Manchester History Net). * Early mills and factories were usually built with timber, making them vulnerable to fire and limiting their size. In 1796, Charles Bage built the first 'fireproof' factory, which only used cast iron, brick and stone. This design reduced the fire risk and formed a strong structure that could accommodate large, powered machinery. (http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/on-line/energyhall/page110.asp Science Museum)

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