Close to the settlement in the early 19th century were quarries and small coal mines.

White Coppice had a cotton mill at the start of the Industrial Revolution.

Around 1900 the mill was owned by Alfred Ephraim Eccles, a supporter of the Temperance movement.

The 1st and 2nd XI cricket teams play in the Moore and Smalley Palace Shield.

[5] The BBC Children's television show Sloggers was filmed at the cricket ground in 1994.