A new lease of life
for Loom Wharf
By Jonathan Twentyman, MD, JP McGuire Developments
During the 19th century, Manchester was
known as Cottonopolis – a nickname given
due to its bustling cotton industry. Many of
the mills that were built during the era still
stand strong in parts of the city centre, as
well as further across Greater Manchester
and the North West in areas such as
Rochdale, Bolton, Bury and Wigan.
As industries and careers have evolved
over the centuries, more and more of these
large, red brick buildings that give North
West towns their distinct backdrops are
now unused. But the large floor plans, big
windows, exposed bricks and steel columns
– which were designed and built out of
52 - www.refurbandrestore.co.uk
necessity during the industrial age – provide
the perfect foundations and features for
stylish and practical modern homes.
This was our aim with the Loom Wharf
development in Leigh, Wigan. The Grade II
Listed mill on Mather Lane was first built in
1882 but had been derelict for 20 years. I’ve
grown up in Leigh – I went to school around
the corner and have developed my business
in the town centre – so I’ve always known
this building. Now, I’ve had the opportunity
to give back to the town where I’ve grown up
by investing in this property and giving it a
new lease of life, turning it into 98 one, two
and three-bedroom apartments.
Working on a project of this size and scale
is ambitious at the best of times, particularly
when trying to keep sympathetic to the
building’s heritage. We’ve spent years
refining the designs and plans to get them
just right. Original features such as the
large windows and brick walls have been
lovingly restored and kept throughout the
apartments. We’ve also managed to salvage
some of the original wooden flooring, which
we’ve reinstalled in some of the communal
areas.
And although it was important to keep
the history of the mill, we’ve invested a
lot into making sure the apartments are