Historic Textile Mills of Greater Manchester

From the world's first steam-driven cotton mill of the 1780s through to the huge multi-storey complexes of the Edwardian era, textile mills are woven into the landscape of Greater Manchester. They are integral to its history, culture and identity. But with the 20th century demise of textile manufacturing, this once ubiquitous building type is under threat.

Historic England commissioned the University of Salford to survey Greater Manchester's historic textile mills. The report addresses survival numbers, occupancy levels and condition. It reveals that 45% of historic mills in Greater Manchester have been demolished in the last 30 years. It also highlights their potential, with over a million square metres of vacant space available to accommodate the homes and businesses of the future.