| Administrative History | Joseph Wheatcroft, who had been operating from Speedwell Mill, Wirksworth, as a corn factor, switched in 1844 to the weaving of narrow fabrics in which trade he continued until his retirement in 1872. Seven years later his son and successor George Hanson Wheatcroft moved part of the family business from Speedwell Mill to Haarlem Mill and from 1880 both mills were under his control.
The site of Haarlem Mill in Wirksworth was the location of a mill since the medieval period. In the eighteenth century, it was a walk mill for fulling cloth, becoming a corn mill in the second half of the century. In 1777 Sir Richard Arkwright leased the premises and land from Philip Gell of Hopton and soon after had a cotton spinning mill erected on the site. This was operational by 1780 and in 1792 Arkwright sub-leased the buildings to Messrs Sykes, Eley and Heppinstall, cotton spinners. The mill’s association with tape weaving dates from about 1814 when the premises were converted for this purpose by Maddley, Hackett and Riley of Derby. It was at this time that it was re-named Haarlem Mill. Part of the premises were at the same time used for silk spinning. In 1841, James and William Tatlow took over the mill.
The firm of George H Wheatcroft specialised in the manufacture of narrow fabrics (tapes, webs and bindings), woven and weftless, from natural and, later, manmade fibres. In 1880 a bleachworks was established at Wash Green Wirksworth. By 1896, Wheatcrofts had 230 employees. At this time, the firm also dyed all its own products. Haarlem Mill used both steam and water power, which Speedwell Mill was entirely steam driven.
In 1922 George H Wheatcroft Ltd acquired, also for tape manufacture, Markeaton Mill in Leaper Street, Derby, which eventually closed on 31 October 1979. |
| Custodial History | Acquired by Derbyshire Record Office in 1973. |