Reincarnation

Gibson Mill near Hebden Bridge in West Yorkshire was coming to the end of its manufacturing life by the start of the 20th century due to competitive pressure from much bigger mills. However, it reincarnated itself spectacularly in the early years of the century with a 500 seat restaurant, tea room and skating ring. The whole valley became the centre of a leisure boom with pavilions and 12 tea rooms springing up and thousands of visitors arriving every weekend in the summer by train.

The photo shows the upper floor of the mill which once housed looms with 22 workers including children as young as 12 doing a 72 hour week. This space was later the restaurant.