Historic mill is falling to pieces

Apr 30 2009 by Lynn Jolly, Paisley Daily Express

FEARS have been raised about what the future holds for a dilapidated historic mill which is lying in ruins.

Paton’s Mill – an A-listed building rich in history and was once a vital part of Renfrewshire’s thriving cotton and thread industry – today cuts a sorry sight.

Almost every window is smashed, there’s burnt-out roofing, piles of ruined materials lying in heaps and rubbish strewn around.

One Paisley Daily Express reader, who passes the Johnstone mill on his way to work every day, said: “The building is falling into the hands of the local neds.

“I pass the mill every day going to and back from work, and I am very upset about what has happened to the mill. There are almost no windows intact now, and they appear to have been smashed.

“The place is over 200 years old and is about to be lost at the hands of vandals.”

The rapid growth of Johnstone was due mainly to the success of the thread and cotton industry. The first mill in Johnstone was built in 1782 on Mill Brae, and others quickly followed until there were between 15 and 20 mills at the industry's peak.

Six-storey Paton’s Mill is part of that first mill. The Old Mill section of the huge factory dates back to 1782 and is thought to have been the first machine factory in the world.

The High Street site was opened originally as a cotton-spinning factory, but was later used for lace manufacture.

Built by the Corse and Burns Company, it predates by four years the New Lanark cotton mill, in Lanarkshire, which was founded by David Dale, the Stewarton-born industrialist who was apprenticed to a weaver in Paisley.

Fire

Paton’s took over the mill in 1896 when their first factory in Clark Street was destroyed by fire.

The property is considered by many to be one of the most historically significant industrial buildings in Scotland.

Derek Parker, Paisley Daily Express columnist and history expert, said: “It has lain derelict for quite a while, and there are concerns that it will end up in flames.

“Like many people who are interested in the heritage of the town, I would like to see it converted in to flats while maintaining the historic exterior.

“It is a late 18th century building and is one of the oldest mills in the country.”

Sad sights include:

l A broken barrow and forklift lying in the stores

l Burnt roof joists and sections of metal and pipe hanging broken

l A pile of multi-coloured shoe insoles abandoned in a heap

l Bundles of twine and metal drums in the old dye house and

l Almost every window in the main building and outbuildings smashed.

Renfrewshire Council confirmed that the property is owned by Belfast company GWM Developments Ltd.

And said there are no current planning or listed building applications being dealt with affecting Paton’s Mill.

A spokesman added: “Planning permission and listed building consent were granted in 2004 for the conversion of the building in to flats and commercial floorspace. This permission has not been implemented and will expire in June.

“The building has been inspected and an Urgent Repairs Notice has been served. This specifies the work deemed necessary to make the building secure, wind and watertight – including the bricking-up of some 34 ground and low level windows and the boarding up of a further 200 upper and skylight windows.”