Hi everyone 
Firstly, thanks to Layz for giving a heads up on this place, I wouldn't have found it without his help.
Here is half a ton of history, poached from Layz's report
History on this place, like many mills is rather patchy, however my understanding from various tips to the library is that a mill has existed on the site for the best part of 150years. The site was bought by William Hollins in the 1890 who occupied the existing buildings and set up a spinning Mill. The mill can be described as having 3 parts:The oldest middle part, built before 1860s, the later rear extension built in the 1890s and the 'newest' front part built in the 1900s. There is evidence of the earlier works (Middle part, which I believe was a metal works) on the site, including a mid 1850s-60s central building constructed with bricks, few iron columns and solid wooden beams with a spiral staircase.
In the early 1900s the mill was expanded greatly with the addition of the ‘front building’ which was constructed in red terracotta tiles, with bands of yellow and carved stone embellishments by the same architect who designed Goyt Mill in Marple and Coppull Mill in Chorley. I believe the architects were Joseph Stott and Son, however this information is based solely upon looks. Joseph Stott and Son were responsible for numerous very large cotton mills, mainly around Manchester between the 1890s and 1900s. Radford Mill could possible be the younger smaller sister of many of these famous mills.
The Spinning works finished in 1959, and the site was destined to be sold off for housing. However Viyella decided to cling onto the site using it as a small scale dying works finally coming to an end in the 60s. Like most mills in Nottingham around that time it was broken up into smaller firms, one of which still occupies the ground and upper floors today.
The works were once again destined to become housing/apartments in 2003, but it now appears the scheme has been put on hold.
Company History
Hollins also ran the mill in Pleasley on a rather unusually named road ‘Via Gellia’ now the A5012 near Matlock, about 20miles away. Via-Gellia later gave its name to the famous soft fabric ‘Viyella’ which Hollins & Co patented in 1893. Later Viyella was also to become the company name in 1961 after a merger. Viyella has faded into obscurity now, and in 2009 went into administration, finally being bought out by Austin Reed.
Here are my pics:
Outside:
Viyella logo is still visible on the tower:
Dusty assorted paperwork
One of the first floor rooms:
Me sat at a desk
I wonder what that used to be...
I saw the same things in Forest Mills, anyone know what they are? I suspect they are for fitting clothes...
Window pic:
Now this was an interesting find!
The second floor:
Do not use the fire escape:
Sewing machine:
A room filled with loads of assorted old paperwork dating back to the 1950s
Walkways :cool
Another interesting find: a large trapdoor operated by rope
A few shots taken on the roof:
Forest Mills visible not far away:
Thanks for looking, I took over 100 photos on my visit to the Viyella Works, and I strongly recommend it.
Firstly, thanks to Layz for giving a heads up on this place, I wouldn't have found it without his help.
Here is half a ton of history, poached from Layz's report
History on this place, like many mills is rather patchy, however my understanding from various tips to the library is that a mill has existed on the site for the best part of 150years. The site was bought by William Hollins in the 1890 who occupied the existing buildings and set up a spinning Mill. The mill can be described as having 3 parts:The oldest middle part, built before 1860s, the later rear extension built in the 1890s and the 'newest' front part built in the 1900s. There is evidence of the earlier works (Middle part, which I believe was a metal works) on the site, including a mid 1850s-60s central building constructed with bricks, few iron columns and solid wooden beams with a spiral staircase.
In the early 1900s the mill was expanded greatly with the addition of the ‘front building’ which was constructed in red terracotta tiles, with bands of yellow and carved stone embellishments by the same architect who designed Goyt Mill in Marple and Coppull Mill in Chorley. I believe the architects were Joseph Stott and Son, however this information is based solely upon looks. Joseph Stott and Son were responsible for numerous very large cotton mills, mainly around Manchester between the 1890s and 1900s. Radford Mill could possible be the younger smaller sister of many of these famous mills.
The Spinning works finished in 1959, and the site was destined to be sold off for housing. However Viyella decided to cling onto the site using it as a small scale dying works finally coming to an end in the 60s. Like most mills in Nottingham around that time it was broken up into smaller firms, one of which still occupies the ground and upper floors today.
The works were once again destined to become housing/apartments in 2003, but it now appears the scheme has been put on hold.
Company History
Hollins also ran the mill in Pleasley on a rather unusually named road ‘Via Gellia’ now the A5012 near Matlock, about 20miles away. Via-Gellia later gave its name to the famous soft fabric ‘Viyella’ which Hollins & Co patented in 1893. Later Viyella was also to become the company name in 1961 after a merger. Viyella has faded into obscurity now, and in 2009 went into administration, finally being bought out by Austin Reed.
Here are my pics:
Outside:
Viyella logo is still visible on the tower:
Dusty assorted paperwork
One of the first floor rooms:
Me sat at a desk
I wonder what that used to be...
I saw the same things in Forest Mills, anyone know what they are? I suspect they are for fitting clothes...
Window pic:
Now this was an interesting find!
The second floor:
Do not use the fire escape:
Sewing machine:
A room filled with loads of assorted old paperwork dating back to the 1950s
Walkways :cool
Another interesting find: a large trapdoor operated by rope
A few shots taken on the roof:
Forest Mills visible not far away:
Thanks for looking, I took over 100 photos on my visit to the Viyella Works, and I strongly recommend it.
