Lace and shawl factory, Beeston, Nottinghamshire

Photograph taken 30 June 2001 © Mr Andrew Cooper. Source Historic England Archive ref: 429320

This building was part of a lace and shawl factory including the printing room, waiting room and gateway. It was built in stages from 1886-1893. It was built by J. Huckerby for F. Wilkinson. Francis (or "Frank") Wilkinson (1846-1897) pioneered the making of shawls on machines. The shawl trade had already been established for around 20 years when he moved here. However his fine textiles won such a reputation for novelty and elegance that he was able to prosper in Britain and overseas.

Location

Nottinghamshire Beeston

Period

Victorian (1837 - 1901)

Themes

The machines to the right of this picture are carding machines. These used spiked drums in which the cotton was rotated. This process aligned the fibres, which were then placed in buckets as lengths or 'slivers'. The slivers were combined on a doubling frame, which is the machine that most of these women are working on.

Lace and shawl factory, Beeston, Nottinghamshire

Location

Period

Themes

Tags