Kirk Mill
Kirk Mill is an early example of an Arkwright-type cotton mill and a grade II listed building in Chipping, Lancashire. Built in the 1780s on the site of a corn mill dating back to at least 1544, it operated as a cotton mill with water frames and then throstles until 1886 when it was sold and repurposed as H.J. Berry's chairmaking factory, powered by a 32 ft (9.8 m) waterwheel, which continued in use, generating electricity until the 1940s.
Kirk Mills wood delivery | |
Ribble Valley Location in Forest of Bowland | |
| Cotton | |
|---|---|
| Alternative names | Berry's furniture mill Chipping chair works |
| Arkwright-type mill | |
| Architectural style | Stone built three storey |
| Structural system | Stone |
| Location | Chipping, Lancashire, England |
| Coordinates | 53.8868°N 2.5785°W |
| Construction | |
| Completed | 1785 |
| Floor count | 3 |
| Water Power | |
| Diameter / width of water wheel | 32 ft / 5 ft |
| Doublers | 1 |
| Other Equipment | Throstles |
Listed Building – Grade II | |
| Official name | Kirk Mill and its associated mill ponds retaining walls, outflow and stone-built leat |
| Designated | 13 May 2011 |
| Reference no. | 1401593 |
Historian Chris Aspin described the historical significance of Kirk Mill, stating, 'To anyone interested in the Lancashire cotton trade, the survival at Chipping of one of the world's first factories is a matter of no little wonder.'
Chipping thrived during the Industrial Revolution when there were seven mills located along Chipping Brook. The last survivor was Kirk Mill, then operating as the chairmaking factory of H.J. Berry. However, in 2010, the company went into administration, the factory closed, and on 7 March 2011, the works were bought by SCPi Bowland Ltd.
Significant refurbishment works including a full re-roof, stone cleaning, re-pointing with lime mortar, removal of incongruous late additions and the introduction of structural steelwork were completed in spring 2017.