Description and History of Site:-
Originally a C19 dye works. In 1973 Hatcher noted the site as being B and J Wright and Sons Ltd. Hill Top Works, Interesting complex. Some parts in stone. Some decorative brickwork features. In 2015 the buildings were still substantially intact and in mixed industrial use - but still (2016) under threat of demolition/redevelopment. Ward noted the history of the site as being:- Hill Top Tannery originally occupied by a dyeworks, occupied by R & A Pullan at the beginning of the 19th century, but probably even earlier in origin. There is reference to the dyehouses at Lorry Bank, Buslingthorpe, as early as 1797.

About 1820 Pullans were succeeded by William Norfolk & Co., who became Norfolk & Barker and remained until 1844 when they were succeeded by Elizabeth White, dyer and finisher. Later, White & Sons premises were occupied by Whittaker & Crow, dyers, and then Edward Bale, leather dresser.

In 1857 B.& J.Stocks sold their skinhouse at Buslingthorpe to Wilson, Walker & Co. (see Buslingthorpe tannery), and moved to Hill Top. In 1864 they bought the works which had formerly consisted of warehouses, dyehouses, a calendar house, a singeing house, sheds, an engine house, copper vats, pans, rollers, cylinders etc. Further land was bought in 1868 - 13 cottages bought from Richard Simpson, and in 1874 3,147 sq.yds. from Samuel Croft and 3,965 sq. yds. from W.L.Jackson, formerly the site of Eastburn & Co.'s dyeing and stoving works in the late 18th century.

Eastburn & Myers, who had a 7 h.p. steam engine in 1824, sold their property to Jackson in about 1860. In return Stocks conveyed 3,350 sq.yds. of land to Jackson for the extension of Buslingthorpe Tannery. Stocks & Co. remained in occupation until after 1914. They had 108 workers in 1867.

Further Reading and References:-
YAHS - Hatcher Card Index. Research funded by the Yorkshire Arts Association 1972.
Hatcher, J. The industrial architecture of Yorkshire. Phillimore, 1985.
http://www.geograph.org.uk/snippet/14172
Ward, M F. Industrial development and location in Leeds north of the River Aire, 1775-1914. PhD thesis, University of Leeds, 1972.

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Key Words :- tannery dyeworks leather

Address :- Buslingthorpe Lane, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS7 2DB
Grid Ref :- SE 30326 35438
Co-ordinates :- Lat 53.814347 , Long -1.540899
Local Authority :- Leeds Council
Pre 1974 County :- Yorkshire - West Riding
Site Status :- Site extant - Protected status unknown
Site Condition :- Site disused - but otherwise substantially intact
Record Date :- 4 July 2015

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