Report - Robert Fletcher & Son, Greenfield Mill, Oldham – September 2021

[MotionlessMike]

A mill has been stationed here for over 200 years with Robert Fletcher & Son commencing the business of cigarette paper manufacturing in 1921. At its height, it employed 1000 people to run seven paper machines.

By 1986 the company was making a loss and was purchased by the Melton Medes Conglomerate who turned the company around and started to make a profit once again. By 2001 the company was once again failing and the decision was made to close the other mill it owned, Stoneclough Mill. Some people were transferred to the Greenfield mill, but the company could not sustain the increasing losses and it was forced into receivership resulting in a sudden overnight closure of the mill in 2001.

I had a look in some of the peripheral bits of Fletchers a while ago but never really had a proper crack at the mill itself until number 1 hand-holder @little_ boy_explores messaged me asking if I fancied a midweek trip.

Getting in, well that was (sort of) simple enough, but getting out again… my God what an ordeal that was. Managed to bodge a slightly strange way out after about 6 hours inside, absolutely soaking wet, covered in crap and with lots of razorwire damaged clothing.

Some pictures everyone’s seen before... Does anyone actually get bored of seeing Fletchers though?

Bertrams Beaters

Boardroom

Labs

Including some pictures from the social club since this is being public'd

That's all.​

 

[Bikin Glynn]

Lovely place, one thats deff on my to do list.

Why was getting out so much harder than getting in?

 

[host]

Love it. I don’t bored at all it’s still without a doubt one of UK’s finest. It gets better with age for sure.

 

[Bugsuperstar]

I heart fletchers. Good memories of this place.

 

[Mikeymutt]

No I never get bored of seeing it and you got some great shots. I remember my visit and the interesting way in. Definitely a place I would like to revisit.

 

[MotionlessMike]

Why was getting out so much harder than getting in?

I think there was just a specific mound of razorwire which was at the wrong height to navigate in reverse. We were coming up with loads of ridiculous ideas for egress, it was not a pleasant time

 

[jtza]

Great to see you got it done and you served it well!

 

[MotionlessMike]

Great to see you got it done and you served it well!

Thanks. Shame I never got to meet you up there one time!

 

[TheTimeChamber]

Lovely set of photos, still looking great!

 

[jtza]

Thanks. Shame I never got to meet you up there one time!

There’s always more chances