Uncovered

In its 19th century heyday Shannon's Mill in Walsall was a thriving centre of industry where high quality clothing was made.

Today, Friday 31 August 2007, demolition experts are clearing its George Street site.

Shannon's Mill, Walsall

John Shannon, a Scots draper, started business in Walsall in 1826.

George Street 1950's

In 1845 he leased land in George Street from Lord Bradford and opened a shop there. In the early 1870s he set up a workshop in George Street with 20 people to make men’s clothing for the local market. He died in 1875 and was succeeded by his son Edmund John, who greatly expanded the business.

By the late 19th century Walsall was thriving. It had become a centre of industrialised clothing manufacture.

As the business expanded during the latter half of the 19th century, the old building became too small and Shannon's Mill replaced it in 1887. It was a four storey industrial building in three parts.

There were two flanking parts of eight and 11 bays in brick with segmental headed pilasters. The central part of eight bays was more elaborate with stone strings and dressings, moulded brickwork to the jambs and decorative brickwork strings.

The windows were generally pairs of lancet sashes. There was an early hydraulic lift and steam driven generating plant. Some of the upper floors were of Canadian maple donated to the firm in lieu of a debt.

The mill inferno

The roofs were supported by pillars similar to those in St Matthew’s Parish Church. These were cast iron drain pipes filled with sand.

Disuse, plans and fire

Like many towns in the West Midlands, Walsall suffered from the decline of manufacturing.

By 1999, the mill was unoccupied, but plans were in place for the site.

Shannon's Mill was to be the centrepiece of a £53m regeneration project for St Matthew's Quarter.

Then on Friday 3rd of August 2007 the mill was badly damaged by a massive fire sparked by arsonists. 60% of the building collapsed. A spokesman for the West Midlands Fire Service said the fire was the largest it had tackled in the past 25 years.

Developers have described the fire as a set-back. Talks with Walsall Council are in progress, they've vowed to carry on with plans for the town centre.

The ‘People’s History’ of Shannon’s Mill

Now, Walsall Council has launched a major appeal for memories, artefacts and photographs of the site.

George Street 1900

The ‘People’s History’ of Shannon’s Mill’ will be added to the collection at the Local History Centre in Essex Street.

Ruth Vyse, centre curator, said: "It was such a sad day when Shannon’s Mill was lost. It touched many people who worked there and also those who remember it on the landscape of Walsall.

"It was a building that people had a great deal of affection for and there has been a real interest in preserving our memories of the site.

"We’d love to hear from people who may have worked there or knew people that did."

People can bring photographs or written memories to collection points at Walsall museum in Lichfield Street above the Central library in Lichfield Street and at the Local History Centre in Essex Street, Walsall.