Leigh Spinners Mill to celebrate centenary with special event

Formerly one of the largest cotton mills in the country, Leigh Spinners Mill was built in two phases either side of the First World War, with the first mill constructed in 1913 and the second in 1925.

With the building's grand spinning machinery providing a huge boost to industry and employment in Leigh, the historic building has more recently transformed into a vibrant hub of community business, following the demise of the cotton industry.

READ MORE: 

• How a 'labour of love' is transforming Spinners Mill into a cooperative cultural hub
• From cotton to community: Innovative Mill continues to evolve from historic hub
• Spinners Mill to host 'Grand Opening' with launch of entire five floors

Brandan Nolan at Sticky Black Tarmac inside Leigh Spinners Mill (Image: Leigh Journal) With the manufacturing arm of the mill kept alive by carpet and turf makers, Leigh Spinners Ltd, the regeneration project began in 2014 as the Leigh Building Preservation Trust (LBPT) began renting out space to local organisations.

As the LBPT team have acquired funding to restore and revamp the historic building, this project has picked up pace in recent years, and one of the mills is now home to more than 70 independent businesses.

Val Hogan at the Spinners Tea Room (Image: Leigh Journal) Offering affordable rents to help independents and start-ups, there is a real community feel at the Mill, with a music studio, art gallery, independent cinema, museum, gym, record shop, and microbar just some of the units taking up space at the Park Lane hub.

This is in addition to a community cafe, heritage museum, computer museum, and much more.

Joe Kay at the North West Computer Museum (Image: Leigh Journal) With a real community feel at Spinners Mill, the Park Lane venue often hosts events, workshops, and makers markets to encourage people into the Park Lane hub, and it will mark the 100th anniversary of the mill's completion with a special event this weekend.

Taking place on Saturday, June 7, all of the Mill's businesses will be open for the public to visit and try, including extras such as archery tasters sessions, free music lessons, makers markets, retail areas, leather craft workshops, craft activities, live entertainment, and more.

With the 501st state also visiting with popular Star Wars characters, there will also be local politicians present to mark the occasion, such as Leigh and Atherton MP Jo Platt, Mayor of Wigan Cllr Jenny Bullen, and local councillors.

Jo Platt helped to develop Spinners Mill before her re-election as the town's MP (Image: Leigh Journal)