17 mind blowing retro pictures of Preston’s famous Cotton Court down the years, from pre-war 1930s to modern day
By Jack Marshall
Published 28th Nov 2023, 13:29 BST
Updated 29th Nov 2023, 12:17 BST
With the modern Bhailok Court dominating the skyline in Preston, there is nevertheless plenty of history on Church Street as well.
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…
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: RETRO
The completion of phase one of the Cotton Court restoration work in 1990 shows off an original sign that was lovingly retained - bearing the name The Preston Livery & Carriage Co Ld Photo: RETRO