Villa Street, lace and net factory c 1820-30s. Forms part of rear of Swiss Mills (M467), small by comparison but earlier and possibly largest in Beeston when built. Small bricks, shallow roof. Wooden windows divided into 3s with slightly curved tops, characteristic of early factories. 4 storeys - low 2 storey wing now demolished. Domestic type of chimney stack suggests some rooms were heated by open fires. In 1860s belonged to Wm Felkin Jnr (son of historian) - in 1861 had 39 machines making plain net. Women, children and young people kept the factory working 24 hours a day except on Sundays. Partly demolished --/03/1966, rest in danger. (1)
Pollards Factories is the earliest identifiable lace factory site in Beeston. The first factory (1830s) was near the corner of Cross Street and Villa Street.. Originally a four storey building, it was known variously in its history as Dobsons Mill and then the Bank Factory. A second building was constructed in the late 1850s. By the 1870s the complex had been bought by the Pollards who let out part of it. (4)
Demolished 1989.
See M467 for adjacent Swiss Mills.

<1> CBA, Industrial Survey (Published document). SNT184.

Other Refs: IA4 7/1

<2> OS, 1938, 1:2500, County Series 1938 (Map). SNT1034.

Other Refs: 41/12

<3> Smith DM, 1965, The Industrial Archaeology of the East Midlands, p 206 (Published document). SNT1304.

<4> NIAS, Oct 1984, NIAS Journal, p 4 (Serial). SNT1748.