The St. Margaret's Works site opened in 1865 as a result of the firm's expansion, and at one time employed over 1000 workers. In the 20th century the company had a close relationship with Marks & Spencer, and also provided clothing for the war effort.
At some point in the 1980s or 90s it closed its gates for good, although certain sections of the large complex are in current use, for example there's a skate park and some small textile units. There is further information on Leicester City Council's page, Wikipedia and elsewhere.
THE VISIT
There are many large rooms strewn with textile debris - hangars, rails, boxes, files and paperwork, machinery plus other more empty ones. Some of the structure seems a bit flimsy - parts of the floor have a rotten, bouncy feel, and the place is full of pigeons and their droppings.
The following phone photographs show just a few areas of the plant as it was too big to cover in just a brief visit.
View from yard
This box room is a fire hazard - the place was subject to arson in 2012
One of the upper floors
One of many large rooms
A look across one of the yards. The more industrial section (including the boilerhouse) seems to be east toward the canal in front.
It looks like clothes were hung in here
This is the area that suffered from fire damage two years ago
A corridor - the graffiti was of a very good standard throughout
The roof
Roof looking down - not sure what those hanging lengths were
Thanks for reading - until next time!
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