The centre is made up of the remainder of The Globe Works, which created machinery and looms for the cotton industry under management of the Howard & Bullough firm.

The works manufactured machinery and parts for supply to Lancashire’s textile industry and across the world.

In 1856, co-founder Mr. Bleakly retired[1] and was replaced by inventor James Bullough, who was responsible for the creation of the Lancashire Loom alongside William Kenworthy.

Under Bullough's guidance, The Globe Works concentrated its manufacturing efforts on the production of looms.

[2] The Howard and Bullough business was bought by Platt International in 1970, who continued to operate in the Globe Works.