IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Brookside, CONGLETON, CW12 1DJ

In an even worse condition than Image these buildings will probably be left to decay so badly that they will have to be demolished and the "developers" will be allowed to put up something more profitable. This little road has character that you can't create in a new development: this is a fragment of the town's industrial history that has survived modernisation. The English like their heritage so a development should be able to use this to sell the site.

Looking at the north side of the mill with the (uninhabited) development of apartments behind it. There is a shrub growing over one of the top floor windows of the mill and there is green mould covering the balcony fronts. The old shipping container on the right also appears in Andy Potter's picture Image taken in 2008. Brookside Mill is named for the stream running alongside it which, along with steam, was originally used for power. It was built in 1835 as one of only three mills producing silk in Congleton during the 19th century; the construction is of brick with five stories and each floor being supported internally by cast iron columns. In 1946 the mill was taken over by the Bossons family who were manufacturers of ceramic figurines and wall plaques, at this time the mill became known as Bossons’ Mill. December 1996 saw Bossons cease trading and the mill closed. Since then there have been some attempts at developing the site with a block of modern apartments to the rear, for some reason these are all standing empty and beginning to look neglected- allegedly the developers ran into problems and the site is on the market. Now known as Silk Mill it is Grade II listed but is looking in a very sorry and, indeed, dangerous state; the brickwork is crumbling and sagging badly.

Compare this with Andy Potter's Image from 2008 and we can see that there is no change in 2011, even the portakabins are still there. Brookside Mill is named for the stream running alongside it which, along with steam, was originally used for power. It was built in 1835 as one of only three mills producing silk in Congleton during the 19th century; the construction is of brick with five stories and each floor being supported internally by cast iron columns. In 1946 the mill was taken over by the Bossons family who were manufacturers of ceramic figurines and wall plaques, at this time the mill became known as Bossons’ Mill. December 1996 saw Bossons cease trading and the mill closed. Since then there have been some attempts at developing the site with a block of modern apartments to the rear, for some reason these are all standing empty and beginning to look neglected- allegedly the developers ran into problems and the site is on the market. Now known as Silk Mill it is Grade II listed but is looking in a very sorry and, indeed, dangerous state; the brickwork is crumbling and sagging badly.

Formerly Bossuns Mill, manufacturer of ceramics, this empty shell has been left to decay.

Formerly Brookside Lane, this stream originally provided a power source for the mill. Compare this with Image taken by Andy Potter in 2008 and we can see that nothing has changed. Brookside Mill is named for the stream running alongside it which, along with steam, was originally used for power. It was built in 1835 as one of only three mills producing silk in Congleton during the 19th century; the construction is of brick with five stories and each floor being supported internally by cast iron columns. In 1946 the mill was taken over by the Bossons family who were manufacturers of ceramic figurines and wall plaques, at this time the mill became known as Bossons’ Mill. December 1996 saw Bossons cease trading and the mill closed. Since then there have been some attempts at developing the site with a block of modern apartments to the rear, for some reason these are all standing empty and beginning to look neglected- allegedly the developers ran into problems and the site is on the market. Now known as Silk Mill it is Grade II listed but is looking in a very sorry and, indeed, dangerous state; the brickwork is crumbling and sagging badly.

The pigeons seem to have taken over the upper floors of Brookside Mill, looking through the windows it looks as if there is some water ingress that is bringing the ceiling down. I am not sure what the hoist is for, it could either have been a type of fire escape or it could have been for raising goods to the top floor. The rainwater hopper carries the date of 1835, the year the mill was built. Brookside Mill is named for the stream running alongside it which, along with steam, was originally used for power. It was built in 1835 as one of only three mills producing silk in Congleton during the 19th century; the construction is of brick with five stories and each floor being supported internally by cast iron columns. In 1946 the mill was taken over by the Bossons family who were manufacturers of ceramic figurines and wall plaques, at this time the mill became known as Bossons’ Mill. December 1996 saw Bossons cease trading and the mill closed. Since then there have been some attempts at developing the site with a block of modern apartments to the rear, for some reason these are all standing empty and beginning to look neglected- allegedly the developers ran into problems and the site is on the market. Now known as Silk Mill it is Grade II listed but is looking in a very sorry and, indeed, dangerous state; the brickwork is crumbling and sagging badly.

This crane would have been used for lifting heavy items to the first floor, and through the door. Brookside Mill is named for the stream running alongside it which, along with steam, was originally used for power. It was built in 1835 as one of only three mills producing silk in Congleton during the 19th century; the construction is of brick with five stories and each floor being supported internally by cast iron columns. In 1946 the mill was taken over by the Bossons family who were manufacturers of ceramic figurines and wall plaques, at this time the mill became known as Bossons’ Mill. December 1996 saw Bossons cease trading and the mill closed. Since then there have been some attempts at developing the site with a block of modern apartments to the rear, for some reason these are all standing empty and beginning to look neglected- allegedly the developers ran into problems and the site is on the market. Now known as Silk Mill it is Grade II listed but is looking in a very sorry and, indeed, dangerous state; the brickwork is crumbling and sagging badly.

The empty space in the middle is where Brook Mill stood. The tower on the right is the main bit standing and on the left it had been contiguous with Stonehouse Green Mill where the braced red wall is. The mill had been a steam powered 5 storey silk spinning mill built in 1835. I believe it had been intended to convert it to housing but it has now disappeared. It is seen in this view - Image

The metal steps were the fire escape from Brookside Mill, the tall round structure looks as if it might have been the flue for a steam engine. Brookside Mill is named for the stream running alongside it which, along with steam, was originally used for power. It was built in 1835 as one of only three mills producing silk in Congleton during the 19th century; the construction is of brick with five stories and each floor being supported internally by cast iron columns. In 1946 the mill was taken over by the Bossons family who were manufacturers of ceramic figurines and wall plaques, at this time the mill became known as Bossons’ Mill. December 1996 saw Bossons cease trading and the mill closed. Since then there have been some attempts at developing the site with a block of modern apartments to the rear, for some reason these are all standing empty and beginning to look neglected- allegedly the developers ran into problems and the site is on the market. Now known as Silk Mill it is Grade II listed but is looking in a very sorry and, indeed, dangerous state; the brickwork is crumbling and sagging badly.

One of many former mills, either silk or fustian, in Congleton that are undergoing redevelopment. This one looks like it will be apartments.