It was taken over by the Lancashire Cotton Corporation in the 1930s and passed to Courtaulds in 1962–63 to produce carpet fibre, which it continued to do until its closure on 17 October 1980.

The cornerstone was laid on 25 March 1889 and the engines, named Louisa and Helen, were dedicated in May 1890.

The Bank of England set up the Lancashire Cotton Corporation in 1929 to attempt to rationalise and save the industry.

The mill was eventually taken over by Courtaulds in 1962–63 to produce carpet fibre, which it continued to do until its closure on 17 October 1980.

At the invitation of the assistant manager, Bill Crank, the Winstanleys, authors of the book cited below, visited May Mill in September 1980.

Slubber and drawing frames were said to be part of the original May Mill equipment These were made in 1902 by Howard & Bullough of Accrington.

Numerous carding frames by Platt Brothers of Oldham were dated 1905, 1907 and 1920, but some of these had been converted to suit Courtauld's needs.