The Watch Factory

For about 100 years from the mid 18th century Prescot was the country’s - and one of Europe’s - leading centre for the production of clock and watch parts and tools. It was a domestic craft industry. The industry collapsed in the face of cheap American and Swiss imports from the 1870’s. .

An attempt was made to save it by taking on American methods, with the creation of the Lancashire Watch Company in 1889. This building, unique in Britain, was the physical manifestation. It was based on a watch factory in Illinois. It has an exposed iron frame filled with brick “ aprons” and continuous glazing on each floor to maximise light to the work benches.

The business folded in 1910 - apparently the promoters did not fully understand modern factory production or how to cater sufficiently for the mass market. The building has recently been converted to apartments - the marketeers have been imaginative, it’s called “The Watch Factory”.,