RESTORATION OF FAMOUS BURNLEY CANAL WHARF GIVES MAJOR BOOST TO THE HISTORIC TEXTILE TOWN

[Ray T]

PRESS RELEASE         

 

2nd August 2021     

 

RESTORATION OF FAMOUS BURNLEY CANAL WHARF GIVES MAJOR BOOST TO THE HISTORIC TEXTILE TOWN

 

A £2.9 million restoration of a historic Burnley canal wharf by the waterways and wellbeing charity, Canal & River Trust, is set to bring major benefits to the former textile town.

 

For the last 18 months, the derelict stone buildings at Finsley Gate Wharf, on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, have undergone a miraculous transformation into a new community heritage and learning hub, café bar, restaurant, function room, guest house and garden.

 

The complex also includes a working forge which will be firing up for regular demonstrations, thanks to two local blacksmiths. Residents and visitors alike will be able to enjoy a wide variety of activities from yoga, paddleboarding and canoeing sessions to craft classes, school visits, heritage tours, light refreshments and fine dining.

 

Opened in 1801, Finsley Gate was an important regional boating centre in the 19^th century, fuelling the Industrial Revolution. Known locally as Mile Wharf, it is located on a sharp bend next to Burnley’s famous one-mile-long embankment across the Calder Valley, one of Britain’s Seven Wonders of the Waterways.

 

Funded by grants from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the European Regional Development Fund, and supported by Burnley Borough Council and the new site management company Finsley Gate Wharf Ltd, the restored complex is set to bring major economic and cultural benefits to the town, just as the arrival of the canal did over 200 years ago.

 

In the 1880s, Burnley was the largest cotton-producing town in the world and by the turn of the century it boasted more than 100,000 looms, with 90% of the town’s population employed in the industry. This thriving economy was supported by the canal which brought cotton from America, coal from the nearby pits, water to power the steam engines and a route to world trade.

 

By the mid-20^th Century, the majority of the cotton mills had closed and commercial traffic on the canal had declined. The Finsley Gate site continued to be used as an operational office and yard for the canal, but was closed in 1995 and has remained empty ever since.

 

Daniel Greenhalgh, North West director of the Canal & River Trust, said: “It has been a long-held dream to create a new use for these fantastic Grade II Listed stone buildings, so it is wonderful to see the wharf brought back to life in such spectacular fashion. The buildings have been sensitively restored to modern 21^st century standards whilst carefully conserving their unique heritage value.

 

“Where canals once brought prosperity through trade, they have now been reinvented as a brilliant place for people to spend their leisure time, get fit, enjoy the outdoors and feel healthier.

 

“Finsley Gate promises to be a huge community asset and this opening is just the beginning of a long term commitment from the Trust to ensure the canal continues to make a vital contribution to the life of the town.”

 

Burnley Council leader Councillor Afrasiab Anwar said: "It's marvellous to see a piece of Burnley's industrial heritage brought back to life. The canal helped create our town and make it what it is today and it's wonderful to be able to celebrate the fact that this historic wharf has been restored and will become a bustling centre of activity once again, more than 200 years after it was created. The canal is a major asset for our borough and it's great to see this investment in its future." 

 

 

ENDS

 

For further media requests please contact:

Helen Hall,

m 077177 760284 e helen.hall@canalrivertrust.org.uk

NW Communications Managers, Canal & River Trust

Edited August 2, 2021 by Ray T

[Pluto]

I do wish they would either contact me before embarking on historical canal details, or the correct information can often be found in my book on the canal's history. Raw cotton was never a major traffic on the canal, and neither were finished textiles. Until well into the 19th century, textiles were primarily produced by hand workers, with machinery only taking their pace relatively slowly. The well-known spinning jenny was developed in Oswaldtwistle, while the less well known chemical industry related to textile printing had one of its most important centres in Accrington and Church, with internationally important discoveries being made well into the 20th century. Some cotton yard could have been carried from the cotton spinning centre of Keighley, where several mills were built for Arkwright spinning machinery. However, such machinery did not produce high quality yarn, and the mills had mainly been converted to woollen textiles by 1820.

 

East Lancashire was the main cotton weaving area after the power loom became established, and around the same time the horizontal mill engine began to make its appearance, whose efficiency allowed it to be used in places where coal had to be delivered some distance. It was coal deliveries by canal, along with supplying the cooling water for condensing the exhaust steam, which made the development of the textile industry in East Lancashire possible. Spinning was located more in the Oldham/Rochdale area, though some was done in  East Lancashire. As to the figures for looms, this could well refer to the Burnley cotton area, which also included Nelson and Colne.

 

What is certainly correct is that the canal made Burnley. When the canal was built, it used the cheaper ground around the edge of the old village, something which you can see where many canals pass through many modern towns.

[Jen-in-Wellies]

7 hours ago, Ray T said:

Edited 7 hours ago by Ray T

 

4 hours ago, Pluto said:

I do wish they would either contact me before embarking on historical canal details, or the correct information can often be found in my book on the canal's history. Raw cotton was never a major traffic on the canal, and neither were finished textiles.

 

It looks like the principal cargo being either loaded, or unloaded at the restored wharf are chairs and coffee tables. Nice to see the L&L being used for carrying again. 😃

[Heartland]

That furniture may have been hired and delivered in a 7 1/2 ton van

[Sea Dog]

Whilst I welcome such initiatives, I count 4 bollards - if they're lucky with the spacing (I never am!) up to 2 boats at a time could soon be pouring vast amounts of money into the local economy!

[jonathanA]

There was a sort of slipway to the right of the picture wonder if that's been restored or ignored ? 

 

Anyway at least something has been done with site.

[matty40s]

3 hours ago, jonathanA said:

There was a sort of slipway to the right of the picture wonder if that's been restored or ignored ? 

 

Anyway at least something has been done with site.

Could do with a good weed though, or didnt the restoration specialists realise the canal was important to the wharf?

[Jen-in-Wellies]

10 hours ago, matty40s said:

Could do with a good weed though, or didnt the restoration specialists realise the canal was important to the wharf?

Nah. It was only ever a water feature. The weeds add to the aesthetic. Wouldn't want any boats tying up there and spoiling the view for the coffee drinkers. 

Edited August 8, 2021 by Jen-in-Wellies

[ditchcrawler]

How many boats a day pass through there who are likely to moor?

[Pluto]

On 07/08/2021 at 19:30, jonathanA said:

There was a sort of slipway to the right of the picture wonder if that's been restored or ignored ? 

 

Anyway at least something has been done with site.

The old slipway was removed about fifty years ago, though at that time they did install one for reversing a trailer down which was on the extreme right of the photo. On bollards or rings, the L&LCS did suggest that they provide rings at a suitable distance apart such that it was easy to moor our heritage boat Kennet, but have heard nothing about the suggestion.

[TheBiscuits]

On 07/08/2021 at 19:30, jonathanA said:

There was a sort of slipway to the right of the picture wonder if that's been restored or ignored ? 

 

Removed entirely, piled and backfilled.

 

I was recently asking one of CRTs managers why this was done, and allegedly it was to help stabilise the site and nothing to do with disposal costs for rubble ...

 

Apparently there have been serious ground movements since the mill opposite was demolished, which caused leaks and risks of a major breach in the canal itself as well as disturbing the wharf.

 

 

[jonathanA]

OK interesting and sort of plausible given how big and close to the canal mill opposite was. 

 

What was left of the slipway wouldn't have taken much more than a cruiser. 

 

On 08/08/2021 at 18:25, ditchcrawler said:

How many boats a day pass through there who are likely to moor?

Quite a few I'd say there is the hundred berth reedley marina about 30 mins away and plenty of passing boats. Since the pub "Inn on the wharf " closed this would make a good spot for locals to visit. Although if as Pluto says there aren't any rings then presumably they wouldn't be welcome...

 

Edited August 11, 2021 by jonathanA

[Pluto]

The area has been unstable almost all of its life. In 1814, mines were encroaching under the embankment, and the canal company claimed damages from the mine owners. If you can get to the River Calder culvert under the embankment, you can see where it had to be rebuilt and strengthened. Sorry, but the photo is not brilliant, but you can see the cables curving around the 'new' arch on the left.

[Opener]

On 11/08/2021 at 19:32, jonathanA said:

OK interesting and sort of plausible given how big and close to the canal mill opposite was. 

 

What was left of the slipway wouldn't have taken much more than a cruiser. 

 

Quite a few I'd say there is the hundred berth reedley marina about 30 mins away and plenty of passing boats. Since the pub "Inn on the wharf " closed this would make a good spot for locals to visit. Although if as Pluto says there aren't any rings then presumably they wouldn't be welcome...

 

Used to moor at Reedley - Sunday evening sport was to watch moorers returning after a 'good session' at Inn on the Wharf. Got their own bar on site now so no need to travel.

[jonathanA]

Yes had a few good evenings in the Inn ourselves with some of the old crew from reedley. 😀