Imperial Mill Engine-House

History

Imperial Mill was a textiles/cotton mill built in 1901. The mill was bought by the Cotton Corporation in 1929 after the war as never regained its markets and the independent mills were struggling. The production period spanned from the early 1900s-1958 where production stopped under the LCC. It was then taken over by Courtaulds where spinning stopped in 1980. The mill itself is a red brick ring mill standing at 3 storeys in parts and a maximum of 4 storeys tall. It was designed by Sydney Scott and has a long rectangular plan spanning multiple bays long and wide, along with rows of large close-set 8-paned windows and two copper domed towers can be found at either end. Sadly, the chimney was demolished in 1958.

Today the site is still used by the Saw company and Google Maps shows other companies to operate on and in very close proximity of the site.

The Engine-House

The engine-house can be easily seen from the side of the mill that is facing the and Liverpool canal. The paths down the canal allowed for a closer look at the building and it was clear to see it was disused. Originally it housed a triple expansion engine manufactured by Yates and Thom locally.

In person it looked like enough light for a set of long exposure shots but sadly it wasn't.

The square grey room was some sort of storage with an arrangement of tins and jars and different equipment (shown later).

At the back of this room was a set of slanted cages and behind it some sort of motor?

Now some close up shots of the amazing tile-work.