Dean Clough facts for kids
Dean Clough is a huge group of factory buildings in Halifax, England. These buildings were constructed between the 1840s and 1860s. They were originally home to Crossley's Carpets, which became one of the biggest carpet factories in the world. It was about half a mile long and had a massive amount of floor space.
After many years, the factory closed in 1983. A group led by Sir Ernest Hall bought the site. They turned the old factory into a place for many different businesses and cultural activities. Dean Clough is now seen as a great example of how old industrial areas can be successfully brought back to life. It is located near the Victorian North Bridge in Halifax. Today, about 150 businesses and arts venues are located there. These include art galleries, the Viaduct Theatre, and even a radio station.
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A Look Back: Dean Clough's History
The story of Dean Clough Mills began in 1802. John Crossley, along with his brother Thomas and James Travis, first rented the mills. After John Crossley passed away in 1837, his three sons, John, Joseph, and Francis, took over the business. At that time, about 300 people worked there.
In 1864, the Crossley sons created a company called John Crossley and Sons. This was one of the first companies in Britain to become a "limited liability" company. This means the owners' personal risk was limited. This company built the very large mills you see today between 1841 and 1869. Around 1855, they started naming the mills with letters like A, B, C, and so on.
By 1900, the company employed 5,000 people. During the two World Wars, they stopped making carpets. Instead, they produced military supplies like blankets and fabric for uniforms. The company moved its main office in 1970. In 1982, it was decided to close the Dean Clough site for good.
After the mills closed in 1983, Sir Ernest Hall and his son Jeremy bought the site. They slowly began to fix up the buildings. Their goal was to turn them into offices and places for arts and culture.
Dean Clough even hosted a big event in 2017. The then Prime Minister, Theresa May, launched her party's election plans there.
Exploring the Site
The Mill Buildings
There are many mill buildings at Dean Clough, and some are very large. Most of them are named with letters of the alphabet. They sit at the bottom of the steep Hebble Valley. However, G Mill is different. It stands on a steep bank, so it looks like it has nine floors from the road but only five from the top of the bank.
The first mill built by the Crossley family was A Mill in 1841. B Mill, with six floors, followed in 1844. These mills likely held machines for spinning yarn and weaving. The first weaving shed, called Old Shed, was built in 1849. Other mills like C, E, F, G, and H were built over the next few years.
How Transport Changed
The factory used to have its own railway tracks. These tracks connected to the main Halifax railway station and allowed goods to be moved by train. However, this railway line closed in 1955. The old North Bridge Station was torn down in 1960.
Today, Dean Clough relies on roads for transport. A system of roads called Burdock Way was built in the early 1970s. This system includes high, curving flyovers that go over the mills.
Bringing Dean Clough Back to Life
Sir Ernest Hall and Jonathan Silver bought the Dean Clough site in 1983. They wanted to fix it up in their own way, without relying on government grants. However, they had different ideas, so their partnership didn't last long. Within a year, Sir Ernest Hall bought Silver's share.
To make the site more open and create parking, some of the large sheds were taken down. Now, a hotel and a health facility use buildings at the western end. G Mill has been worked on for over twenty years, floor by floor. The stone outsides of the buildings have been cleaned. Inside, changes have been made to fit new uses. This sometimes meant removing old floors or pillars and adding new lifts.
Today, the mills offer office space for about 150 companies. They also have art galleries, restaurants, and The Viaduct Theatre. There's even a 35-foot-long model of the factory made from Lego that you can see!
The Viaduct Theatre
The Viaduct Theatre is a special underground performance space. It can seat 300 people. For more than 30 years, it has been the main home for the Northern Broadsides theatre company. Other visiting groups and local community groups also use the theatre for their shows.
Images for kids
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Dean Clough
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Old Dean Clough Mills
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An aluminium sheep sculpture at Dean Clough
See also
- Listed buildings in Halifax, West Yorkshire
