Report - Dobroyds Mill, Huddersfield - April 2019

BrainL · Apr 8, 2019

The Explore
Its been a long time since I've had time to get out and explore lately, havent done anything in ages so was glad to get out for the day. One of the days explores was a good old fashioned mill.. quite a few empty rooms as with most mills but a nice control room and bits and pieces left behind. Looking at some old reports it looks like lots of machinery has been taken away from the upper floors now which was a shame.. Seems the building has been used by all sorts of things over the years, last one being some kind of cafe and shops that looks to have closed around 2016/17.

The History
Dobroyd Mills was built in 1829. A fine cloth manufacturer Dobroyd Ltd was founded at the mill in 1919. The mill closed in 1974, but was re-opened in 1976 under John Woodhead Ltd spinners. It currently houses several businesses including a classic car restoration firm and tea rooms. The future of Dobroyd Mills became a subject of debate when the current owners Z Hinchliffe began reducing the height of the chimney last year (2011). Concerned neighbours referred Dobroyd Mill to the English Heritage when the works began. But an inspector from English Heritage decided the Mill was not suitable for the list of buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest. Planning permission to knock down two sections on the northern end of the complex was granted by Kirklees Council last month (2012). The stone structures were deemed unsuitable for modern use.