Report - Fletcher's Paper Mill - June 2013

Zotez · Aug 4, 2013

Fletcher's Paper Mill - June 2013

Visited with TBM

History stolen from Robert Fletchers Papermill, Oldham

Fletcher controlled the mill for many years and on his death on May 17th 1865 was succeeded by his sons John and James who were in turn followed by their sons, also named John and James.

In 1897, the firm was incorporated as a limited company and employed 200 people (later rising to 1000 at the height of production). The top wage in those days was 6 and a half old pence an hour. There were 7 paper making machines which between them produced only a fraction of the paper 3 more modern machines later produced.

A second mill was opened in 1921 specialising in the production of cigarette papers and the company had sales offices in London and Manchester and agencies in many foreign countries.

The company was bought in 1986 by the Melton Medes conglomerate who reportedly turned round a loss making business into a profitable one. However, it later appears that by 2001 / 2002 the business was bankrupt and a year after the Stoneclough mill near Bolton was shut, Greenfield was also closed.

We didn't get to see much of the mill but it was a cool explore with comical access!