Briefest of History
The building was last occupied by Clare Tooling System's, the building was also known as Excelsior Printing and Book Binding works
It opened in 1870 by a Mr John Heywood and could employ up to 750 people as a book binding business.
More recent workings were Clare Tooling which dates back about 75 years, there is also evidence of textile works and storage.
The building partly collapsed and was subsequently demolished in July 2015.
I couldn't find much more history on the place.
The Explore
Myself and a couple of non members set out to explore what we could find in Manchester, so after a quick search on 28days we decided to have an attempt at Clare Tooling.
Access was as easy as they come, a quick jump over a wooden board and we were in.
The place was in a rather bad state, graffiti littered the walls and the occasional hole in the floor and sinking floorboard accompanied us throughout the building.
Droplets of water dripping from the ceiling, floorboards creeking, shadows creeping, doors opening and windows shutting,its nothing much really is it?! But when you're new to this exploring abandoned buildings malarky, them sounds are a subtle reminder to yourself that you're not as brave as you think you are. Upon this new found realisation we decided to stick together for the explore. We promised not to run incase a homeless, drug addict, serial killer or ghost attacked us, it was just a coincidence I had my fingers crossed at that exact moment.
Floor by floor we had explored the building, a section we came to seemed to have suffered from the affects of fire damage, the smell of burnt particles still fresh, filling the corridor with its presence, not to shy away, we let our presence be known, the flashing of camera's leading the way.
An overgrown courtyard area allowed us a moment of fresh air swell as access into other parts of the building, again, not much left that wasn't trashed, grimey, burnt or gone already but curiosity led us further.
A couple floors up and we found what seems to be left of some offices, that was a rather nice find at the time, even though it seems like we turned up several years too late.
Another floor up and we found a rather retro looking computer, didn't even attempt to switch the thing on, I'm strictly a Playstation type of guy anyway.
Looking back it was a nice little day and a good wonder around a derelict building, I did go back again for a solo explore however the previous entry point had been sealed up. A look around for an entry point didn't come up with much other than climbing up a lamppost and through a first floor window. I decided to return on another day.The day I returned I saw that the place was half way through being demolished following a recent collapse.
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co...lefield-mill-collapse-aerial-pictures-9740166
If anyone wishes to see pics from other explore's then my Instagram page is Yusifffffff
The building was last occupied by Clare Tooling System's, the building was also known as Excelsior Printing and Book Binding works
It opened in 1870 by a Mr John Heywood and could employ up to 750 people as a book binding business.
More recent workings were Clare Tooling which dates back about 75 years, there is also evidence of textile works and storage.
The building partly collapsed and was subsequently demolished in July 2015.
I couldn't find much more history on the place.
The Explore
Myself and a couple of non members set out to explore what we could find in Manchester, so after a quick search on 28days we decided to have an attempt at Clare Tooling.
Access was as easy as they come, a quick jump over a wooden board and we were in.
The place was in a rather bad state, graffiti littered the walls and the occasional hole in the floor and sinking floorboard accompanied us throughout the building.
Droplets of water dripping from the ceiling, floorboards creeking, shadows creeping, doors opening and windows shutting,its nothing much really is it?! But when you're new to this exploring abandoned buildings malarky, them sounds are a subtle reminder to yourself that you're not as brave as you think you are. Upon this new found realisation we decided to stick together for the explore. We promised not to run incase a homeless, drug addict, serial killer or ghost attacked us, it was just a coincidence I had my fingers crossed at that exact moment.
Floor by floor we had explored the building, a section we came to seemed to have suffered from the affects of fire damage, the smell of burnt particles still fresh, filling the corridor with its presence, not to shy away, we let our presence be known, the flashing of camera's leading the way.
An overgrown courtyard area allowed us a moment of fresh air swell as access into other parts of the building, again, not much left that wasn't trashed, grimey, burnt or gone already but curiosity led us further.
A couple floors up and we found what seems to be left of some offices, that was a rather nice find at the time, even though it seems like we turned up several years too late.
Another floor up and we found a rather retro looking computer, didn't even attempt to switch the thing on, I'm strictly a Playstation type of guy anyway.
Looking back it was a nice little day and a good wonder around a derelict building, I did go back again for a solo explore however the previous entry point had been sealed up. A look around for an entry point didn't come up with much other than climbing up a lamppost and through a first floor window. I decided to return on another day.The day I returned I saw that the place was half way through being demolished following a recent collapse.
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co...lefield-mill-collapse-aerial-pictures-9740166
If anyone wishes to see pics from other explore's then my Instagram page is Yusifffffff
