Monument record 10962 - Albion Flour Mill, Canalside

A 19th century flour mill is recorded at Canalside on historic maps from the early 19th century onwards. Originally called Albion Mills, it later became the Witter Factory. The building survived until the mid 1990s when it was finally demolished. (1)

Archaeological investigations at Canalside in 2001 and 2002 identified traces of the 19th century mill. Information is not available for th 2002 phase of excavation, however, the 2001 evaluation encountered the building in trench 3.

The evidence consisted of extensive traces of the original 19th century mill as well as several phases of reconstruction underlying the 20th century demolition layer. In the northern part of the trench traces of an early 20th century extension to the mill were also recovered. (2)

<1> Ordnance Survey, 1872-1875, Metric Ten Foot Scale Town Plan of Chester (Maps and Plans). SCH6780.

<2> Gifford and Partners, 2001, Draft Report for Canalside/Witter Place, Chester, R3346 (Client Report). SCH6836.

<3> Palaeoecology Research Services, 2001, Evaluation of biological remains from excavations at Canalside/Witter Place, Chester in 2001, R3207 (Client Report). SCH6466.