Ilex Mill

[1] However, by 1899 the building had been sold to Messrs Hoyle, Parker and Company who turned the premises into a shoe factory.

[1] Fabricade made bed spreads and bathroom sets there until 1981, when they shut the plant down with the loss of 60 jobs.

The Council developed plans to turn the mill into a new Town Hall for the Borough of Rossendale which had been formed in 1974.

[2] The plans, which also involved the Rawtenstall Civic Society, the Lancashire Constabulary and the local Chamber of Commerce.

It was proposed that the renovation would be completed with minimum demolition and preservings as much as possible of the internal open space.