Cottonopolis
Richard Arkwright opened the world's first steam-driven textile mill on Miller Street in Manchester in 1781. This single building marked a turning point from water power to steam power for early cotton mills. The arrival of steam power signified the beginning of mechanisation that enhanced the burgeoning textile industries. As textile manufacture switched from homes to factories, Manchester became the largest and most productive cotton spinning centre in the world. By 1871, the region used 32% of global cotton production. Ancoats, part of a planned expansion of Manchester, became the first industrial suburb centred on steam power. Mills there featured architectural innovations including fireproofing by use of iron and reinforced concrete.
The number of cotton mills in Manchester peaked at 108 in 1853. As these numbers declined, cotton mills opened in surrounding towns like Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Bolton, Blackburn, Darwen, Rawtenstall, Todmorden and Burnley. Bolton was known as Spindleton in 1892. While the manufacturing centre of Manchester shrank, the commercial centre grew. Warehouses, banks and services expanded for the 280 cotton towns and villages within a 12-mile radius of the Royal Exchange. The term Cottonopolis came into use in about 1870. In the previous decade, three-quarters of the textiles manufactured were exported by foreign companies based in the Port of Manchester.
The Bridgewater Canal made it possible to transport goods in bulk to its terminus at Castlefield where warehouses were built. Raw cotton imported through the port of Liverpool from the West Indies, southern states of America and the Indian subcontinent travelled on the canal. Coal from Worsley also moved along this waterway when supply from US states stopped due to civil war. The Liverpool and Manchester Railway built a warehouse at its Liverpool Road terminus when it opened in 1830. By the end of the 19th century Lancashire had four million people. More than 25% of the total population was employed by the industry sector mainly in textile activities. The trade connected with the activities of broker merchant and freemason Samuel Smith.
The first of Manchester's exchanges was built in the market place by Sir Oswald Mosley in 1727 for chapmen to transact business. Thomas Harrison built an exchange in Greek Revival style between 1806 and 1809. After it opened membership was required and trading was not restricted to textiles. Early members were owners of mills and warehouses but later business was conducted by their agents and managers. Queen Victoria granted the exchange the title Manchester Royal Exchange after a visit in 1851. The third exchange designed by Mills and Murgatroyd opened in 1874. It featured Classical style Corinthian columns and a dome. The vast hall stood 29.2 metres high with an area of 3683 square metres. Up to 11,000 cotton merchants met every Tuesday and Friday beneath the 38.5-metre high central glass dome. Cotton trading ceased there in 1968 after World War II damage.
In 1806 there were just over 1,000 warehouses in Manchester but by 1815 this had almost doubled to 1,819. Richard Cobden's construction in Mosley Street was the first of many palazzo style warehouse buildings. Elaborate Watts Warehouse followed in 1854. Johann Georg Kohl described Manchester streets in his travel writing noting great warehouses five or six stories high that were stately and elegant. At night these warehouses were brilliantly lighted from top to bottom. Asia House India House and Velvet House along Whitworth Street were among the tallest buildings of their time. These dominant buildings served as stately homes of the cotton industry providing storage facilities while displaying finished goods. Their owners spawned equally ornate bank and office buildings providing loans for production of cotton and associated industries.
Arthur Heywood Bank opened in Manchester in 1772 but money transferred daily via coach and horses to major banks in London. Many such coaches were attacked by highwaymen during transit. The first bank to hold its own reserves of notes and coins was Bank of Manchester which opened on Market Street in 1829. Next came Manchester & Liverpool District Bank on Spring Gardens in 1832. Many others followed in areas around Spring Gardens Fountain Street and King Street which became Central Business District and banking centre. Vast amounts of money passed through Manchester leading to establishment of many money handling organisations and banking facilities. The Reform Act 1832 created two members of parliament while Municipal Corporations Act 1835 allowed election of magistrates borough councillors and aldermen. Manchester received municipal borough status in 1838.
Many 18th- and 19th-century cotton mills canals supporting bridges and infrastructure exist today. The square mile of warehouse city is cited as finest example of Victorian commercial centre in United Kingdom. Royal Exchange renovated in 1972 turned into home of one of most prolific and highly regarded theatres outside London. The building damaged in 1996 by IRA bomb rebuilt at cost of £32 million. Extracts from Spinning the Web used as basis for BBC Radio 4 drama titled Cottonopolis. The region retains its historic identity while adapting former exchanges into cultural venues for modern audiences.
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Common questions
When did Richard Arkwright open the first steam-driven textile mill in Manchester?
Richard Arkwright opened the world's first steam-driven textile mill on Miller Street in Manchester in 1781. This single building marked a turning point from water power to steam power for early cotton mills.
What year was the term Cottonopolis used to describe Manchester?
The term Cottonopolis came into use in about 1870. By that time, three-quarters of the textiles manufactured were exported by foreign companies based in the Port of Manchester during the previous decade.
How many cotton mills existed in Manchester at their peak and when?
The number of cotton mills in Manchester peaked at 108 in 1853. As these numbers declined, cotton mills opened in surrounding towns like Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Bolton, Blackburn, Darwen, Rawtenstall, Todmorden and Burnley.
Who designed the third Manchester Royal Exchange and what style was it?
The third exchange designed by Mills and Murgatroyd opened in 1874. It featured Classical style Corinthian columns and a dome with a vast hall standing 29.2 metres high.
When did cotton trading cease at the Manchester Royal Exchange?
Cotton trading ceased there in 1968 after World War II damage. The building damaged in 1996 by IRA bomb rebuilt at cost of £32 million.