economic change - Murray Mills

what is Murray Mills

worlds oldest steam powered cotton mill

how many people did Murray Mills employ at its peak

1300

why was there a ready workforce

rural-urban migration and people from Ireland

how was coal transported for the mills

along Rochdale canal

why was Manchester ideal for cotton production

had a warm wet climate ideal for raw cotton

in what year did Manchester’s cotton production peak and how much was produced

1914 produced 1 billion tonnes

why did cotton production decline

after WWI increasing competition from other countries in Southern Asia meant cotton production in Ancoats was no longer profitable

how did the government try and protect the UK cotton industry

imposed tariffs on imported textiles, driving up prices for consumers in Manchester which encouraged people to buy locally

Murray Mills 1950’s

broken up into small units used as warehouses

Murray Mills 1960-90

derelict and fell into disrepair - fire in 1992 nearly destroyed the whole complex

Murray Mills 2002

Bought by Urban Splash - some converted into offices

Murry Mills 2008 +

residential development with popular 1 bed apartments selling for around £250,000