Way back in 2001 I worked in a factory (Not far from Fletchers) and we had an influx of workers join our company. I got chatting to one of the guys, a chap named Trevor who had come as a maintanance hand, I asked him why he had left his old job and he told me he had worked at a local paper mill for the past 20 odd years and it had suddenly shut down. This was the first time I had heard of Fletchers and at the time I really didnt give it much thought or hear it mentioned again until almost 20 years later.
Roll on 2022/2023 and my son (now 15) was showing a massive interest in exploration. He had mentioned this 'abandoned paper mill near us' and said he had seen pictures and that he really wanted to go. 20+ years had passed since I had last heard about this place and I thought 'no way is that place still standing'
but is was and I was eager to take him.
First trip was a bit of a disaster tbh, It was a hot summers day in August and I rolled up in my shorts and tee, no torches, gloves, masks.. nothing 😂 I didnt even know about secca on site. After gaining access to the main grounds quite easily we were wondering around the site willy nilly looking for a way in. Couldnt find access to the main bit but we did find an open window which lead us to the 'Boiler room' area. I was in total amazement as I wondered around here as I had never seen any pictures from this area before (Only from the main building.) We exited after a couple of hours and from that day let's just say I became slightly obsessed with the place!
Have been multiple times over the past 6 months or so trying to visit different areas each time. The only place I have not been is the 'Workshop' as the adjoining door was promptly boarded after an influx of 'visitors'.
Before I copy and paste a bit of history from this place I just want to link a video that you may or may not have seen... It's from the 80's and it is a mini doc of the paper mill in operation. Very interesting if you have been to the mill as you will recognise some of the rooms and machines on the video.
Sorry for rambling, here is a bit of history on the place and the photos are below that..
The story of Robert Fletcher & Sons paper mill dates back to the 1830’s as a young Robert Fletcher entered the business “Ralph Crompton & Nephews” who were at the time bleachers & papermakers in Stoneclough.
Robert worked his way up through the business eventually becoming the manager of the bleaching department and later the manager of the entire mill. The Crompton family held Robert in high regard and as such Roger Crompton (the last of the brothers), left Robert the trusteeship and an option of succeeding him in the firm.
Following the death of Roger Crompton, Robert controlled the business for many years until he passed away in 1865 and was succeeded by his sons John & James Fletcher, who were in turn succeeded by their own sons, John Fletcher and Robert Fletcher.
The Greenfield mill specialised in producing cigarette paper and had sales offices in London & Manchester, as well as agencies in many foreign countries. The business also owned lots of land around the Greenfield mill, several hundred acres apparently.
Robert Fletcher & Son Ltd steadily built a solid worldwide reputation for quality and reliability, the Greenfield site alone had a turnover of almost £18million by 1997 but just two years later that figure dropped to just over £8million.
The following year, in an effort to rescue the business, the original Stoneclough site was closed, with the intention of opening up more jobs at the Greenfield site. Unfortunately the business continued its financial downturn and could not be saved. In July of 2001 disgruntled creditors formally applied to have the business wound up and staff about to start the morning shift were ordered to collect their belongings and leave the site.
Boiler house:
Next was the main area:
Roll on 2022/2023 and my son (now 15) was showing a massive interest in exploration. He had mentioned this 'abandoned paper mill near us' and said he had seen pictures and that he really wanted to go. 20+ years had passed since I had last heard about this place and I thought 'no way is that place still standing'
but is was and I was eager to take him.
First trip was a bit of a disaster tbh, It was a hot summers day in August and I rolled up in my shorts and tee, no torches, gloves, masks.. nothing 😂 I didnt even know about secca on site. After gaining access to the main grounds quite easily we were wondering around the site willy nilly looking for a way in. Couldnt find access to the main bit but we did find an open window which lead us to the 'Boiler room' area. I was in total amazement as I wondered around here as I had never seen any pictures from this area before (Only from the main building.) We exited after a couple of hours and from that day let's just say I became slightly obsessed with the place!
Have been multiple times over the past 6 months or so trying to visit different areas each time. The only place I have not been is the 'Workshop' as the adjoining door was promptly boarded after an influx of 'visitors'.
Before I copy and paste a bit of history from this place I just want to link a video that you may or may not have seen... It's from the 80's and it is a mini doc of the paper mill in operation. Very interesting if you have been to the mill as you will recognise some of the rooms and machines on the video.
Sorry for rambling, here is a bit of history on the place and the photos are below that..
The story of Robert Fletcher & Sons paper mill dates back to the 1830’s as a young Robert Fletcher entered the business “Ralph Crompton & Nephews” who were at the time bleachers & papermakers in Stoneclough.
Robert worked his way up through the business eventually becoming the manager of the bleaching department and later the manager of the entire mill. The Crompton family held Robert in high regard and as such Roger Crompton (the last of the brothers), left Robert the trusteeship and an option of succeeding him in the firm.
Following the death of Roger Crompton, Robert controlled the business for many years until he passed away in 1865 and was succeeded by his sons John & James Fletcher, who were in turn succeeded by their own sons, John Fletcher and Robert Fletcher.
The Greenfield mill specialised in producing cigarette paper and had sales offices in London & Manchester, as well as agencies in many foreign countries. The business also owned lots of land around the Greenfield mill, several hundred acres apparently.
Robert Fletcher & Son Ltd steadily built a solid worldwide reputation for quality and reliability, the Greenfield site alone had a turnover of almost £18million by 1997 but just two years later that figure dropped to just over £8million.
The following year, in an effort to rescue the business, the original Stoneclough site was closed, with the intention of opening up more jobs at the Greenfield site. Unfortunately the business continued its financial downturn and could not be saved. In July of 2001 disgruntled creditors formally applied to have the business wound up and staff about to start the morning shift were ordered to collect their belongings and leave the site.
Boiler house:
Next was the main area:
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