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Robert Fletchers Paper Mill - Saddleworth - September 2010

Visited with Shadow-Play

Wherever I explore, 'something' always happens. This time, we we're working out our access the night before, found a way in, so in goes SP for a nosey. This is late, middle of the countryside, dressed in black can't see fook all. Next thing, torch is coming towards me from the main run of the mill, hmmmmm....

It's only security, Im clinging to a 15cm ledge, hugging the wall, whilst the security chap is below me muttering to himself, he soon went on his way, went home, got kip, returned in the morning... only me.

The history on this place is rife, so I'll keep it brief.

As a business, Fletchers was established in the early 19th century as a paper bleaching and manufacturing company.

Towards the late 90’s the two mills of Robert Fletcher & Son Ltd started to struggle. The increased cost of wood pulp and energy combined to make it tough financially. In 1997 the greenfield site had a turnover of nearly £17m and shareholder funds exceeded £9m. By 1999 turnover was down to £8.2m and the shareholders funds had dwindled to little over £4m. In 2000 in an effort to save the business going to the wall resulted in the closure of the Stoneclough site and 120 job losses resulted from the closure although 50 new jobs would be created at the Greenfield site. Despite this move the company continued to spiral into financial ruin and in July 2001 several suppliers and creditors formally applied to wind up the company and resulted in the closure, overnight, of the Greenfield site.















































I've been wanting to do this one since I first met up with Host here in November last year, I'm pleased and also relieved that its done now. Cheers :thumb