Then and Now - Atkins Building

The Atkins factory is thought to be the oldest surviving knitting firm in the world and the origins of the Atkins Firm can be traced back to 1722 with Robert Atkins (1702-1768) son of a yeoman farmer from Newbold-on-Avon.

Robert was apprenticed to a Brother of the Framework Knitters of London and after finishing his apprenticeship moved to Hinckley to manufacture hosiery under his own name. In 1740 Robert was joined by his nephew also named Robert, together they would have taken on apprentices, purchased raw materials and sold the finished products.

The five Atkins brothers John, Thomas, George, Hugh, Arthur and their mother Elizabeth Atkins shaped the building we see today. The factory was built in two stages with the original L shaped block built between 1875 and 1877 designed by the Architects Goddard and Paget of Leicester.

In 1910 the second stage was completed with another floor added to the building

The final accounts “for the erection of new warehouses and premises” are at Hinckley and District Museum dated 20th July 1877 and the building contractors were John and William Harold of Hinckley at a final cost of £4837!

In 1950 Atkins became a Public Limited company and created another of it's successful brand name of the day “Lucky Charm “stockings.

Employees working the fine gauge on fully fashioned heeling machines

In 1953 Atkins factory had over 1,250 employees and created the car park opposite to accommodate the increasing amount cars used by the firm and its employees.

In the 1960s and 1970s saw an impressive display of industrial expansion by the Atkins Family, this was aided by the opening of the M69 motorway in 1979.

Atkins factory's success was further bolstered when Princess Margaret opened the 1972 warehouse and office extension.

Atkins factory employees gathering for the Royal Visit

Left to Right Mr G Tamsey, Mrs D Emery, Mr D Styles, Princess Margaret and Mr J S Atkins presenting a gift of stockings to the Royal visitor

In the 1980 and 1990s new machinery and technology was utilised in the manufacturing of stockings, tights and other garments

25,000 gallon tank installation in June 1986

James Atkins colour matching in 1994

James Atkins working in the dye house office

In 1995 the final Managing Director of the Atkins family Tom Atkins retired

Atkins factory passed into the ownership of Coats Viyella who continued to manufacture until 2002.

Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council purchased the site in 2008 and began the refurbishment.

Even though manufacture had only stopped six years ago, large parts of the site had been unused for a lot longer.

The refurbishment of the Atkins Factory site was a joint project between Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council and NWHC now known as North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College (NWSLC)

The various factory extensions were demolished but the Victorian factory was retained and restored.

Factory extensions being demolished

Atkins Building opened on 28 September 2010 and is now mixed use business and creative centre with serviced offices, studios, meeting rooms and Atkins Gallery. The refurbished Atkins Building is celebrating it's 10th birthday in 2020!

View of Atkins Building from rear courtyard.

Original factory goods in entrance now a entrance for building users

The factory paint was removed from the brick work and restored to their original condition.

One of the offices at Atkins Building used by the local business community

The original wooden rafters and beams also had the factory paint removed and restored to their original condition.

Thank you for viewing this online exhibition part of Heritage Open Days 2020 Visit https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/visiting to find other Heritage Open Days events