Alexander Drew ltd.
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Alexandrew Drew where textile and dye printers, they operated for over 140 years in Rochdale but finally closed down in 2007 at there last site, Stotts Mill, due to falling orders and competition from cheaper european manufactures.
In 2007 a fire also ripped through half of the 2.6 hectare site causing roads to be closed and near by house to be evacuated, since then the site has remained derelict and the target of vandals and thieves alike.
In its hey day Drew`s employed over 350 people at the Stotts Mill site alone but during the final years up until closure the work force had diminished to just 60 staff.
The local council are now looking to build 74 houses and 28 apartments, along with 2,462 square metres of commercial floor space.on the site.
On the same site as Drew`s there is also the former Rochdale Bus station depot, this originally opened in 1904 for Trams but over the years it was converted to service buses, in April 1964 and extension to the existing bus depot was built at a cost of £250,000.
The entire site including Alexander Drew`s and the bus depot are now in a bad state of disrepair and certain sections are quite dangerous.
It really is a shame to see a site like this in such poor condition, given its history, but like so many of the derelict sites that scatter the country it is only a matter of time before they are wrecked by vandals and thieves alike.
Despite that though inside there are a few interesting features still present in various parts of the site, from the ornate tile work towards the main office sections to the racks and racks of sample fabrics which the company used to produce.
The bus depot on the other hand has hardly anything of interest still lying about.
In total we must of spent just over and hour wandering through the various buildings, offices and rooftops.
It was a little bit of a let down in parts due to its poor condition but the small features worthy of seeing did compensate for this, that and the huge spaces that dominate the site.
With all this in mind though it is worth seeing as it is a very nice relaxed explore and one you can take your time over with out being disturbed by security or chavs.
Plans are already under way to convert the site into housing so it looks like we seen it just in time.
Date : March 2008 : Location : Rochdale : Explorers : Havoc : Lawrence : Romanian1
