62-64 West End

Situation
The building lies between and some distance behind numbers 62 and 64 West End, Witney. It is reached by a driveway that opens on to the street almost opposite 55-56 West End, which was Edward Early's former blanket factory.

Physical structure

62-64 West End, Witney - west side view.

Similar to many other Witney blanket mills, especially those in West End, the building has limestone rubble walls with a slate roof; the window heads are of red-brick with limestone keystones. It is a simple rectangular structure with loading doors in the gable end facing the approach way. The style of the building is very similar to 'The Captains' further up the street, and suggests an early or mid-19th century date.

Owners
The historical owners of the site are at present unknown. It may, however, be the West End factory of Thomas and Walter Early, 'woollen manufacturers', which was listed in Kelly's 1891 Directory [1]. The building is shown on the 1899 Ordnance Survey map but its use is not recorded.

What was the site used for?
It is uncertain whether this building was indeed ever used as a blanket factory but it has features in common with other Witney blanket mills. The location in West End is also suggestive of its use as this is where the main mills in Witney were situated before the mid-19th century. It now houses a motor repair workshop.

Clare Sumner