Prospect Works
Malthouse
The shape of Prospect Mill is shown on the 1893 Ordnance Survey map and it is labelled Malthouse
Worsted Mill
The 1908 Ordnance Survey map uses a label of Prospect Works (Worsted). The same phrase is used through to 1934.
On later maps the building is referred to as Prospect Works through to the 1956 map, and then just Works or Wks.
This aerial view of Northgate from 1964 shows the Baildon Working Men's Club before the 1966 fire (after which it was called Copper Beech Club) and Prospect Works behind the Malt Shovel. Other things to note
- The houses on the corner have been demolished ready for the Trawl Bar and Hardware store to be built.
- St Ives, the house used by the Baildon Working Men's Club steward is still there. It was not demolished until 1999.
- The Picture House is still standing.
- The projecting front and side facing door to 25 Northgate is still there. This was removed to provide safer access to the Co-op Foodstore for pedestrians and vehicles in 1999.
- Laburnham Drive and Heather Rd. look very new.
Compare the 2 aerial views - 1964 vs 2021.
Silver Cross
On the 1968 Ordnance Survey map the building is referred to as Upholstery Works after which it reverts to Wks..
Prospect Works became a factory for the Silver Cross brand of William Wilson and Sons, a manufacturer of baby transport and related products founded in 1877. Silver Cross is perhaps best known for its coach-built prams. It is possible that Silver Cross moving in resulted in the map label changing to Upholstery Works.
Closure and Transfer of Silver Cross work to Guiseley
Silver Cross closed Prospect Works and transferred the work to its larger Guiseley factory in the early 1990s.[1] The Guiseley factory, previously a silk factory, that they had moved into in 1936,[2] closed in 2002 as the company went into receivership amid financial irregularities at its parent company, The Design Company, Manchester and the Guiseley factory assets were sold at auction 14 Nov 2002. The Silver Cross brand was sold to David Halsall International.[3] The factory has been demolished and Silver Cross Way residential area built on the site.
Demolition
Prospect Works, the Copper Beech Club building, and St Ives, the house used by the steward of the club, were demolished in 1999 and the Co-op Foodstore and new Copper Beech Club built.
Comparing the aerial photo and the current layout (2021) shows that the Co-op store is on the site of Prospect Works buildings and the drive into the Co-op carpark faces straight into where The Baildon Working Mens Club was.
References
- ↑ Employees at the time via facebook. March 2021. (Anne Weatherall. Jamie Hardy.)
- ↑ Graces Guide for William Wilson and Sons
- ↑ Telegraph and Argus 21st November 2002. Auctioneer's hammer ends legend of Silver Cross
