Originally built in 1851 as a spinning mill for Thomas Ainsworth & Sons, Cotton Court was known as Church Street Mill prior to it being taken over by James Starkie & Sons, Iron & Wire Workers, which ran the site until a move to Raglan Street in the late 1970s. In the ‘80s, however, developers put in an application to transform the area into what we see today. Why not take a trip down memory lane and explore the evolution of Cotton Court down the decades...
Still fancy some more nostalgia? Check out these other recent retro pieces…
1. Cotton Court
Another shot of one of the buildings set to be transformed during the Cotton Court redevelopment. This image was taken in 1982. The building in question was once home to the old police horse stables Photo: RETRO
2. Cotton Court
The abandoned Starkie's Wire Works at Cotton Court, Preston. Image courtesy of the Beth Hayes, Preston Historical Society Photo: RETRO
3. Cotton Court
Cotton Court, just off Church Street, Preston, pictured in 1939. This part of the complex was demolished in 1942 Photo: RETRO
4. Cotton Court
A giant timber is unloaded ready for installation during the redevelopment of Cotton Court in Preston, back in 1989 Photo: RETRO