Description and History of Site:-
Largely redeveloped, though it seems likely that elements of the later C19 mill complex remain within the site (2019). Baines' directory of 1834 records Antwerp Mill as being occupied by Parkin, Butler, Overend & Co.

On July 29th 1841, Antwerp Mill was offered for sale:
"ALL that substantial Stone-built SCRIBBLING and FULLING MILL called the Antwerp Mill, situate at Wortley Lane End, in the Township of Armley, in the Parish of Leeds, with a Steam Engine of 15 - Horse Power, and Boiler equal to 26-Horse, Engine-House, Dryhouse, Dyehouse, and Stable, together with a large and valuable Plot of LAND, in Front of the said Mill, suitable for the Erection of Cottages, or of any Buildings necessary for carrying on a more extensive Trade upon the Premises; and also another Plot of LAND on the Back or North Side of the said Mill, containing about 2530 Square Yards now formed into Three large Dams for the Reception of Water, and by which a ready and certain supply is obtained. And also the Going Gear and Machinery in and about the said Mill, together with Three Coal Carts, One Carrier's Cart, One Wash Cart, an aged Horse, and Two sets of Gearing.
The Mill is 34 Yards Long and 12 Yards Wide, and is heated by Steam Pipes. The Ground Floor contains One Willey and a Teazer, (which are in a separate Apartment), 3 Scribblers, 54 Inches on the Wire, 1 Scribbler, 60 Inches on the Wire, 6 Fuller Stocks and 1 Washing Machine. The Second Floor contains 3 Carders, each 30 inches on the Wire, 1 Carder, 32 inches on the wire and 4 Billies, each containing 60 spindles. The Third Floor contains 3 Spinning Mules of 264 spindles each, 1 Spinning Mule of 256 spindles and another of 305 spindles. The Dyehouse contains 2 large Iron Pans and a Scouring Machine." (The Leeds Mercury, August, 1841).

The reference to 'Three large dams' suggests that this establishment is that shown on the OS 6" map of 1847. The 'dams' continue to be shown on the OS mapping (later labelled as reservoirs) until the middle of the C20.

By July 1871, the Mill was for sale again;
"ALL that excellent Freehold Woollen Cloth Mill known by the name of the Antwerp Mill, ... consisting of a stonebuilt scribbling and fulling mill, three stories high, with the steam-engine of 20-horse nominal power, engine house, boiler of 40-horse power and boiler house, with wool dry-house over, dye-house, mill and dyehouse chimneys, fire-proof willey house and slubbing room, with spinning rooms over; extracting room, wool warehouse and spinning room over, dryhouse, cooling house with burling room over and over part of dryhouse, oil cellar, scouring place, stable, mistal, shed and piggeries, coach-house, joiner's shop and warehouse with weaving and warping rooms over; washhouse, with counting-house over; three reservoirs, water cistern, mill yards, and private road.
N.B.—The horizontal and counter shafting and gearing, dyepans, fixtures, and machinery, which are in capital working order, will be taken by the purchaser at a valuation."

The advertisement goes on to describe a large freehold dwelling house with garden, the whole premises extending to 8,529 square yards and tenanted by James Walker from year to year. Mr Walker presumably remained in residence since he is mentioned (but without stated occupation) as at Antwerp Mill in the directories of 1872 to 1879.

The Mill itself seems to have been in the hands of Calvert & Co., woollen manufacturers, (Whites Directory of 1870) who appear to have gone into liquidation in February 1873.

The Mill complex may have been redeveloped (or even rebuilt) around January 1880 when one E. W. Hewitt offered 'Looms, engines and shafts' for sale. Hewitt, Haigh and Wilson are listed as proprietors from 1882 until 1913, and probably beyond, as manufacturers of Worsteds and Serges.

Later occupants associated with the mills were Mayland Textiles (1950) and Labofski Bros. (1960's-70's). The site is currently in mixed industrial and commercial uses (2019).

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Key Words :- textile mill woollen scribbling carding fulling dyehouse

Address :- Whingate, Armley, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS12 3HT
Grid Ref :- SE 2652 3330
Co-ordinates :- Lat 53.795339 , Long -1.598885
Local Authority :- Leeds Council
Pre 1974 County :- Yorkshire - West Riding
Site Status :- Site extant - Protected status unknown
Site Condition :- Site redeveloped to industrial / commercial use
Site Dates :- 1834 -
Record Date :- 4 November 2019

Copyright :- cc-by-nc-sa 4.0 © Nick Nelson