Description and History of Site:-
Some original buildings remain, particularly part of the range to the SW of the site. A red brick mill with a particularly fine octagonal exterior stair well. Site acquired by MacLea & March in 1826. The partners began business in 1825 as iron/brass founders and flax machine makers. The fitting up shop had been enlarged in 1831 so that by 1847 (O.S. Map) the works were laid out in the form of a courtyard surrounded by two storey workshops, with a reservoir some distance behind. In 1887 half of the reservoir was sold to allow extensions to be made to the Corporation Gas Works and the business was wound up in 1889 after the partners had died. The premises were bought a Mr. Rawson for £23,535 from the executors. The buildings were renamed Union Mills and let to several tenants. Rawson mortgaged the property in 1905 and the tenants included, G. Glover, gas meter manufacturers; Banks & Moores, printers; B. Eastwood, wholesale clothiers; Chas Russell, printer; J.M. Siddell, roller blind makers. These were joined by others, Kirk, Preston & Co. Drysalters, and Carvers, furniture removers, who used part of the foundry as a repository. Simpson & Sands, nail makers, occupied most of the north block from 1910 onwards. (Connell, 1975).

In 1939, part of the complex was occupied by 'Bell's Asbestos and Engineering Supplies Ltd.

Further Reading and References:-
Connell, E J. Industrial development in South Leeds 1790-1914. PhD thesis, University of Leeds, 1975.

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Key Words :- mill flax machines manufacturing brass iron foundry gas meters printing

Viewing the Site :- From the public road

Address :- 9 Dewsbury Road, Leeds , West Yorkshire, LS11 5DD
Grid Ref :- SE 3008 3255
Co-ordinates :- Lat 53.788405 , Long -1.544916
Local Authority :- Leeds Council
Pre 1974 County :- Yorkshire - West Riding
Site Status :- Site extant - Protected status unknown
Site Condition :- Site refurbished to industrial / commercial use
Site Dates :- 1826 -
Record Date :- 19 September 2018

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