Cotton Court was originally built in 1851 as a spinning mill for Thomas Ainsworth & Sons, one of Preston’s largest spinning firms, and was known as Church Street Mill. In 1875 it was taken over by James Starkie & Sons, Iron & Wire Workers. But the huge complex was left empty when Starkies moved to Raglan Street at the end of the 1970s. It was in late 1982/early 1983 that developers put in an application to transform the area into the thriving Cotton Court area we know today. These pictures all show the buildings before, after and during the transformation. READ MORE: Images of the Ribbleton Lane area of Preston. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Some of the most iconic buildings in Preston. MORE MEMORIES: Preston’s best-loved fish and chip shops of the 90s and 00s
![Pictured at the opening of phase one of Cotton Court in 1990 are (from left) Keith Brockley, of building firm Brockley Estates who engineered the development, John Field, Preston Council development director, and Coun Peter Rankin](https://www.lep.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmVmMjcwMzc3LWUyMzItNDBlNy1iYzcyLTBjYmNiM2JiMWM5Zjo2NzhhOWZmOS0yNGJjLTQ0N2UtOTZkYS01YjA5MzUwZmM5NmU=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
9. Cotton Court, Preston
Pictured at the opening of phase one of Cotton Court in 1990 are (from left) Keith Brockley, of building firm Brockley Estates who engineered the development, John Field, Preston Council development director, and Coun Peter Rankin Photo: Norman Wiggins
![In 1991 when this image was taken, part of the Cotton Court redevelopment had been completed - the part where the old police stables were. But it was still looking dilapidated as work continued](https://www.lep.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjVmZWVhODMyLTI3NTEtNDkzYS1iMmM1LTY2ZjRkMjg1YzU2ZDozNzljNTcyMy04NzU2LTQwOTUtYWQ1My1iZWRhZWY1N2MwZmI=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
10. Cotton Court, Preston
In 1991 when this image was taken, part of the Cotton Court redevelopment had been completed - the part where the old police stables were. But it was still looking dilapidated as work continued Photo: Lindsey North
![You can just about make out the old lettering for Starkies Wire Works underneath the scaffolding netting as work was underway in 1989 to redevelopment the whole of Cotton Court, on Church Street, Preston](https://www.lep.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjEzNTY4ZjkyLTdiZDgtNDhiNi1hZTM1LTk4ZDhhMDZhOTdhNzo0MmE1Y2MyYS1jMDNiLTRmZGMtOTIxOC0yZWVlYTE2MmZiMTM=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
11. Cotton Court, Preston
You can just about make out the old lettering for Starkies Wire Works underneath the scaffolding netting as work was underway in 1989 to redevelopment the whole of Cotton Court, on Church Street, Preston Photo: Terry Bromley
![The south side of Church Street leading to Starkies Wire Works, pictured here around 1982. You can just see the street sign for Cotton Court on the right. Joseph Livesey, founder of the Teetotal Movement, set up his first cheese shop in this building during the early 19th century. Image courtesy of Bernie Blackburn](https://www.lep.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmNmOGZiMzQxLTY0MTUtNDU0Yi1iNjU5LWY0ODhlNjQyZjVjZTphZmRkOTRkNi00NDMzLTQ3MDQtYTdhYy03ZTFhZmI5NTU5ODI=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
12. Court Court, Preston
The south side of Church Street leading to Starkies Wire Works, pictured here around 1982. You can just see the street sign for Cotton Court on the right. Joseph Livesey, founder of the Teetotal Movement, set up his first cheese shop in this building during the early 19th century. Image courtesy of Bernie Blackburn Photo: Preston Digital Archive