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Ossy Mills Heritage

Oswaldtwistle Mills has a long history of welcoming people through its doors; much of which is tied up with Oswaldtwistle’s industrial past. From humble beginnings in single roomed weavers’ cottages, the invention of the Spinning Jenny by James Hargreaves (an ancestor of the current Mill owners) escalated the cotton industry into vast productivity.

Boyd Hargreaves, Retail Director (Pictured Right)

By the early 1800’s, hundreds of workers would stream through the doors of the Mill into the clattering atmosphere of what is now the Weavers’ Court. The Mill and the community were closely linked and the owners keen to offer its workers fun times, too. We have a wonderful photo in our archives showing excited Mill workers climbing onto ‘charabancs’ to take them on annual trips. History has come full circle; modern day Oswaldtwistle Mills now welcomes thousands of coaches a year. Last year we had 1,114,000 visitors through our doors! That’s a staggering figure and one we are very proud of.

What really matters is that each visitor has a unique, enjoyable experience. And we like to think our group visitors know a thing or two about how to enjoy themselves – after all the readers of Group Travel Magazine voted us ‘Best Mill Shop or Factory Outlet’ for the third year running in 2007. We were also Highly Commended by Lancashire and Blackpool Tourism Board in the category ‘Large Visitor Attraction of the Year’.

But don’t think any of this is going to go to our heads – we’re certainly not getting complacent. In fact, we have big plans for 2008 as the Mills expands further, regenerating an adjacent historic building into a huge Food Hall which will build on the success of the Northern Ingredient and offer our visitors a unique gourmet experience.

Keeping up with tradition, Oswaldtwistle Mills is a community in itself – peopled by enthusiastic and hard working concession-owners and the staff who support them. This year we have welcomed a number of new concessions; a vibrant mixture of high profile stores and burgeoning family businesses. From ceramic painting to specialist beers, fabulous fashion to portrait painting, lighting, glassware and garden paraphernalia...all our new concessions are glad to hear your feedback and share their enthusiasm.

Walk through our 88,000 feet of retail space and you’ll find all the gift inspiration you could need: scented candles, craft supplies, sewing machines, sparkling lamps, figurines, contemporary furniture, local interest books, a great range of clothes, shoes and accessories, a stylish men’s outfitters and formal hire department, kitchen ware, perfumes, old fashioned sweets...and if all this retail therapy leaves you feeling peckish there’s plenty of choice – from the contemporary Cafe Nova to the Hungry Tackler (which is great for groups) to the relaxing Pavillion Coffee Shop.

Intrigued by Oswaldtwistle Mill’s history? Visit the Heritage Centre, or find yourself drawn back into childhood by the scent of Stockley’s sweet factory. Take the Nature Trail and discover our Wildfowl Reserve, or simply enjoy the landscaped gardens.

However you choose to spend your time with us – we look forward to giving you a proper Lancashire Welcome to Oswaldtwistle Mills!

Boyd Hargreaves

Retail Director

£100 vouchers to spend at Oswaldtwistle Mills

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Ossy Mills Heritage