Newland Mill and Warehouse

Situation
In Newland, Witney, north-east of the town bridge.

Physical structure
A factory already existed on the site by 1825, but in 1881 work began on a new three-storey warehouse and factory block at Newland. It was commissioned by Charles Early (1824-1912) and built by William Cantwell, a local builder. With its gable end set at right angles to the street, the building was constructed of stone with a slate roof and slightly arched heads to the windows [1]. The building was gradually extended around into a courtyard shape over the years; some additions were made to it in 1900 [2].

Owners
John Early established a factory for weaving in Newland by 1825; by 1838 fifty-two handloom weavers were known to be working there. The family also established offices here in the early 19th century and had a home built nearby known as Newland House [3].

The new warehouse was built to provide some weaving, warehousing and office accommodation and was used until it was no longer needed when the company built new facilities at Witney Mill in 1962. Charles Early and Marriott Limited sold it on to a property developer in 1973 but planning permission for the conversion of the building to flats was refused. In April 1975 Newland Warehouse was subject to a serious fire in the top floor of the building. Fire crews saved it from total destruction but the building was later demolished anyway and housing built on the site [4].

What was the site used for?
Handloom weaving took place here on the ground floor. Wool blending and warehousing or storage took place on the upper floors. There were also facilities where blanket finishing took place, wages were dispensed from offices here and the company horses 'Colonel' and 'Glory' were also stabled at Newland.

Clare Sumner