A Hucknall History

Industrial Developments

2014 Reclamation Plans

A planning application lodged June 2014 with Ashfield District Council began raising mixed emotions among Huthwaite residents. Reclamation of the large factory site built by the former Cooperative Wholesale Society could see residential developments for a proposed 83 new dwellings. Raising Humberts For Sale sign sighted on 25th November 2014, dated next stage of inviting offers.

The original part of this vast hosiery factory almost filling entire length of a descriptively named High Street, dated back from when the CWS announced its December 1907 opening. It was sited on land purchased off a local Unwin Land Society, who afforded the naming of a residential Unwin Street. Their offer of one free acre to entice a new major employer into Huthwaite allowed the option of future expansion across mapped allotment gardens between North Street. From an initial 2½ acre plot, the CWS claimed to hold 4¼ acres by 1919. Beyond adding a new 1937 wing and next including car parking, the total plot reached nearer 5½ acres.

North Street address can been seen next adopted by another Huthwaite clothing manufacturing company called Meritina. Opening The Factory Shop had turned into Coats Viyella. Sharing premises with other company interests barely utilised entire floor capacity. The entire layout was claimed through latter years by Quantum Clothing Group Ltd. Their sale of this ageing complex didn't seem to dismiss chance of handing over to some future factory business, until outlining ADC : V/2014/0447 plans to replace entire site with dwellings. Filling greater residential demands continues a profitable 21st century trend reclaiming past industrial sites.

While there's no denying a huge national demand for more housing has to be fulfilled, few welcome any additions made in their vicinity. Furthermore, some Huthwaite residents understandably desired to keep this familiar monumental brick structure.

Some believed laying new 2015 water pipes was in preparation for the planned housing scheme. CWS High Street frontage had been little changed since bricking up that original warehouse entry point.

A 1920 North Street extension had thereafter provided secure access for all motorised vehicles. Looking through redundant September 2016 security shutters witnessed dated start of inner site demolition. That activity soon dashed forlorn hopes to retain and re-purpose this long familiar historic landmark.

Distant views of the older roadside structure were retained until final stage throughout 2017 clearance.