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Visited with a fellow moocher back in August and only had a couple of hours before losing the light so only covered a small part of this huge site. Didn't manage to get on the roof (I wanted to get some city sunset shots) as we stumbled across the two or three Eastern European squatters who have made this place home. They were chatting on the roof in the late afternoon sun and we didn't fancy disturbing them as there have been reports of them not being a friendly bunch so we moved on to another part of the site.
It's pretty wrecked now and large sections have been demolished. There are parts of the site that are still live with several small knitwear businesses, a recording studio, function rooms and an indoor skate park all making use of what's left.
I have fond memories of this place as I remember going there as a child with my mum to buy new socks and underwear from the factory shop. Even then I remember being in awe of the size of the buildings :Gulp:
History
N. Corah and Sons was a manufacturer of hosiery and textiles, located in Leicester. At one time it was the largest knitwear producer in Europe, and its products had a major influence on the development and prosperity of the Marks & Spencer.
The company was founded by Nathaniel Corah. Corah's business model was to buy completed stockings in Leicester, and to sell them elsewhere at a profit. The business soon grew, and its premises on Union Street in Leicester were purchased in 1824.
The company remained at these premises until 1845. In 1830, Corah's three sons – John, Thomas and William – were taken into partnership. The name of the firm became Nathaniel Corah & Sons.
By 1865, its premises had become too small, and so the company decided to relocate to a location close to the River Soar and the Great Central Railway.The initial plans devised a scheme for the construction of premises on an immense scale: the main warehouses were 160 feet long and 50 feet wide. The rear was an even larger building, the factory, the dimensions of which were 294 by 80 feet.
The works were driven by a large steam powered beam engine, which was started for the first time on 13 July 1865 and a 140-foot chimney was attached to the factory. Sadly the majority of this part has now been demolished. The last decades of the 20th Century in Leicester witnessed the continuing decline of the city's once great hosiery and textile industries and the effect of foreign imports and increased competition saw the end of the once great Nathaniel Corah & Sons in the late 1990's.
There's loads of info out there on the interweb but some of the best can be found here and here
On with the photos...
The company was founded by Nathaniel Corah. Corah's business model was to buy completed stockings in Leicester, and to sell them elsewhere at a profit. The business soon grew, and its premises on Union Street in Leicester were purchased in 1824.
The company remained at these premises until 1845. In 1830, Corah's three sons – John, Thomas and William – were taken into partnership. The name of the firm became Nathaniel Corah & Sons.
By 1865, its premises had become too small, and so the company decided to relocate to a location close to the River Soar and the Great Central Railway.The initial plans devised a scheme for the construction of premises on an immense scale: the main warehouses were 160 feet long and 50 feet wide. The rear was an even larger building, the factory, the dimensions of which were 294 by 80 feet.
The works were driven by a large steam powered beam engine, which was started for the first time on 13 July 1865 and a 140-foot chimney was attached to the factory. Sadly the majority of this part has now been demolished. The last decades of the 20th Century in Leicester witnessed the continuing decline of the city's once great hosiery and textile industries and the effect of foreign imports and increased competition saw the end of the once great Nathaniel Corah & Sons in the late 1990's.
There's loads of info out there on the interweb but some of the best can be found here and here
On with the photos...
Entrance or Exit ?
Peely Paint Porn
In April 2012 there was a fire in the main office block which gutted one section, Thankfully the huge fire doors were closed and stopped the fire from spreading throughout the rest of the building. A 17 year old was arrested in connection with the fire.
Reception
Bridges
Factory
The Loo !
Exterior
The small addition on the roof was used during the 2nd WW by the Fire Watchers. The frames for the bunk beds are still in there.
More of the same can be found here
