Source/Archive record SCH9228 - Level 2 Recording: Building 2, Former Silk Printing Works, Langley, Macclesfield, Cheshire

The remains of three late nineteenth century buildings associated with the former Langley Print Works were subject to building recording at Levels 1 or 2 in 2018. The work was undertaken as part of a proposal to re-develop the site which would include demolition of the buildings. (R4600a-c) Building 2 (SJ 9413 7130) correlates to a building depicted on the OS First Edition map of 1882 and was probably built between 1860 and 1880. There was a bypass stream at the side of this building from the reservoir to the south-east, although this was not the main driver of water supply; this was culverted over and concrete steps formed probably in the 1930s/40s. The brickwork to the front and rear elevations of Building 2 comprises two types of handmade brick dating to the mid-nineteenth century; the gable wall has been rebuilt in brickwork with a smaller horizontal joint. The building layout was open plan on both the ground and first floor. Although the building was adapted and altered over a period of time, largely in the 1930s/40s, original elements include three metal windows, the floor structure and roof. It is thought the building was ancillary to the main print works and, given its open plan, may have housed some kind of machinery on the first floor (also indicated by the find of a large block of masonry inside which could have provided a base for machinery).