Abstract
The final report on the archaeological building survey of Whitelands Leather Works, Whitelands, Dukinfield, (centred
SJ 9420 9869), has now been produced. The site which was surveyed in 2002-3, was situated to the east of Whitelands
road and to the south of the disused Huddersfield Canal. Whitelands works consisted of a four story building with
adjoining single story sheds to the east. It appears to have begun life as a purposebuilt leatherworks. Although the
buildings were noted on the 1840s OS map there appeared to have been a significant rebuild dating to 1868. During the late 20th century the site was reduced in size with residential buildings constructed to the east and south of the works and this may have been the period when the building was converted to a warehouse. The adjoining sheds were partially demolished in the late 20th century and the works was finally demolished in 2003. This is one of several buildings in the Dukinfield and Audenshaw area which
were used for leather processing and finishing. Likely the surviving examples in Audenshaw, it was a purpose-built
structure, and as such is a rare industrial building type in the Tameside and Greater Manchester areas, with many features, the roof trusses and narrow width, akin to contemporary mid-19th urban warehouses.
Citation
CFAA 2009 Tameside quarterly report 09b