South Yorkshire Times, February 8, 1947
Two New Factories for Dearne
At Goldthorpe and Bolton
Shoe Machinery and Worsted mending
Two further new light industry are announced for the Dearne Urban District – one at Bolton and the other at Goldthorpe. This brings the total of new industry gained for the area in less than six months to 5 – 3 at Bolton and one each at Goldthorpe and Thurnscoe
The two latest acquisitions, which involve the erection of new factories, were revealed to the “South Yorkshire Times” on Wednesday by Mr F Hawksworth, Clerk of Dearne Urban Council as follows:
Bolton: the British United Shoe Machinery Co. Ltd, Leicester, have purchased a site, extending to between five and 6 acres, in Lowfield Road, in the vicinity of Bolton L.M.S.– L.N.E.joint railway station, from Lord Halifax.
A factory for the manufacturing of shoes will be erected, but in the meantime arrangements have been reached with the Urban Council for the use of the Parish Hall, Thurnscoe East, for instructional purposes.
Goldthorpe: The Urban Council of soul between 3000 and 4000 yd² of line at the rear of High Street to Messrs G and R England Ltd, Bingley, for the erection of a factory for manufacturing worstead suiting, factory space to be between 5000 and 6000 ft², with land for potential extensions.
Mr Hawksworth explained that as a primary measure to enable the British United Shoe Machinery Co Ltd to secure trainees, the council had decided to let them have the Parish Hall for a period of 12 to 18 months and it was hoped that they will be in a position to commence staff training very soon, three weeks to a months time. It was estimated that 60 people will be employed at the Parish Hall.
Mostly Female Labour
The factory site adjoining the railway station had potentialities for the provision of sidings and it was intended that female labour would comprise 95% of the employees.
With regard to the Goldthorpe project, the site purchased had been completed and Messrs England were now proceeding with the necessary applications to the Border Trade and other Government Departments for licences.
Other light industries which are coming into Dearne urban district are:
Bolton – Messrs Boardman’s, Derby, gown manufacturers, who have purchased Bolton Hall for factory adaptation, and the Co-operative Wholesale Society, who have purchased a site of more than 4 acres for the erection of a hosiery factory
Thurnscoe – Messrs British Belting and Asbestos company, Cleckheaton, will propose to adapt premises in Broadway.
Mr Hawksworth said that the Dearne district will be able to provide all the female labour necessary to staff all the new factories.