History on display in Horwich

The life and times of one of Horwich’s industrial landmarks is going on display next week. A special month long exhibition is being held at Arcon Village, which centers around the redevelopment of the former Arcon bleach works into impressive restored homes and several new properties.

House builder, Redrow Homes, is sensitively restoring the remains of the past and bringing the former bleach works bang up to date to make it one of Horwich’s best addresses – and the exhibition, entitled The History of Arcon, will showcase some of the important chapters in its history.

Christine Aitken, sales director for Redrow homes (Lancashire) explains: “Obviously the development of Arcon has brought huge public interest, especially from local people fascinated by what we’re creating here. We often have visitors to the marketing suite who just pop in to find out more - so we thought an exhibition was the perfect way to let people have a glimpse into the past, in the modern environment it is today.

“We’re working closely with the archaeological department at the University of Manchester and English Heritage to ensure the restoration of these treasured Grade II listed buildings displays a true record of it’s industrial past. We’ve also involved the Horwich Heritage Centre, who have carried out detailed research on the area and provided fantastic pictures, which has been invaluable when putting this exhibition together.”

The open exhibition will run for four weeks from Saturday 21st April, from 10am to 5.30pm, open daily. It charts the diverse history of the site - from an 18th century bleach works to the beautiful transformation currently being undertaken by Redrow homes, with informative stands and pictures from all eras.

Christine continues: “We are very proud of Arcon Village, and how we have so far managed to keep the restoration true to its origins. We hope the people of Horwich enjoy the exhibition and are impressed with the development’s progress.”

Arcon Village is a development of around 140 apartments, town houses and mews-style cottages. All of the properties are being restored in accordance with their Grade II listed guidelines, the interiors are also sympathetically designed, taking the area’s history in to consideration.

Once known as Wallsuches, the area was acquired by the Ridgeway family in the late 18th century, who established a bleach works on the site. The family business rapidly grew into a successful company – at its peak it was the second largest bleach works in the area, employing a 461-strong workforce.

However, against a backdrop of mounting difficulties in the textile industry, the bleach works was forced to close, bringing an end to more than 150 years of bleaching on the site. The site closed in 1933, and was then passed on in 1950 to Arcon Engineering.

Join Redrow at the History of Arcon exhibition, from April 21st at Arcon Village, off Chorley Old Road, open daily from 10am – 5.30pm.

Alternatively you can log on at Arconvillage.co.uk to find out more about the project.