1920
As a consequence of the geology, geography, and topography of the area Stockport became an industrialised town.
Coal, water cotton and hats coalesced into a viable local economy, with a viaduct to carry goods, services and people over the River Mersey.
Beneath the viaduct and alongside the river is Grade II Listed Wear Mill
The first record of a mill on this site was when John Collier, a cotton manufacturer built a mill on this site in 1790. It was water powered. The mill probably consisted of two multi-storey spinning mills and attached weaving sheds, one destroyed by fire in 1831 and the other rebuilt in 1884.
Thomas Fernley bought the mill in 1824, and in 1831 needed to replace one mill with a new one that was of fireproof construction. This mill was eleven bays long and six storeys tall. The floors were sprung on transverse brick arches supported on cast iron columns. It was driven by a beam engine in an internal engine house to the east of the mill. It was over this engine house that the Manchester and Birmingham Railway built the Stockport Viaduct in 1840, and again when it widened in 1880. The second mill was replaced in 1884, but not the original wheelhouse. It is a five-storey, 15-bay mill of fireproof construction with narrow longitudinal vaults springing from iron joints. The original weaving sheds have been replaced with two-storey structures, creating a complex site.
Employees at Wear Mill c.1907
I have circumnavigated the site on a previous post concerning the viaduct.
Way, way back in the Twentieth Century Mr LS Lowry came to take a look around.
As did photographer John Davies.
However cotton and hats do not last forever and the mill became home to a variety of small business operations, its future seemed precarious.
Along comes Capital & Centric wearing their developers’ hats to transform the site into an oasis of modern living.
Hundreds of youthful stock photographic figure illustrations were ordered to fill the proposed dwellings and contemporary leisure outlets.
Work began the future began to take shape.
The Weir Mill project in Stockport is breathing new life into a historic site, transforming the former cotton mill into a vibrant mixed-use community.
Lo, it came to pass – opened to the public August 2026.
I went to take a look around.
Available to rent right now – one bed from £1250 two bed from £1600
Living here comes with a stack of resident perks too. On-site amenities include a fully kitted out gym and studio, co-working spaces, mini-cini, residents lounge, private dining for big get togethers, and a rooftop garden fitted with electric BBQs.
Modern Mooch 