Iris Mill, Hollins Road, Hathershaw, Oldham

Built by the Iris Mill Company on the site of the former Hathershaw Mill, which was destroyed by fire. It was the first mill to be built by John Bunting, a sharebroker, and his syndicate. Construction of the mill took only four months, from 13 August to 12 December 1907. It was said that there was "a bricklayer in every window bottom". The original engine house was refurbished and extended as part of the work and a canteen extension was added in 1942. Production ceased in 1962 and the mill was converted into an engineering works in 1965. Spindleage 62,568 ring.

A NEW RING MILL - The Iris Mill Co. Ltd. has been registered. The directors are Messrs. John Bunting (chairman), Thomas Kenyon, Joseph Mills, F. Rothwell, James L. Lord. George Lees, and J. H. Wardle (manager, Times Mill Co.), the majority of whom are directors of the Bell Mill. There will be no prospectus and no initial public issue of shares. The architects will be Messrs. Potts, Son, and Hennings, of Manchester, and the machinery will be supplied by Messrs. Howard and Bullough. The mill will contain some 60,000 ring spindles and all the necessary preparation and other machinery. It is expected that the mill, which is being built on the site of the burnt down Hathershaw Mill, will be erected by the end of the year. The chimney, water lodge, boilers, steam engines, etc., now on the site will be utilised for the new mill. [Cotton Factory Times - Friday 7 June 1907 page 5]

Reference    Cotton Factory Times - Friday 7 June 1907 page 5