NHER 60066 (Monument record) - Site of former silk mill, Eversley Road

Fras. Hinde and Hardy Ltd was established just after the end of the First World War, when the Hinde brothers made the decision to sell their family-run business (Fras. Hinde and Sons) that had been producing silks and other textiles in Norwich since the early 19th century. During the early 1920's the new company underwent extensive expansion, including works at their original premises at St Mary's Silk Mills on Oak Street [1], purchase of R. L. Simpson based in Golden Dog Lane, and establishment of St Augustine's Mill at Sultzer's court off Boltoph Street.
This mill at Eversley Road in Mile Cross was constructed in 1928 to produce artificial silk. Designed to accommodate two shifts, the building included facilities such as drying racks, mess rooms, tea urns, and washing facilities. However, during its first year of operation there was considerable unrest over the working hours, and following a walkout the National Union of General and Municiple Workers deemed that the work hours being demanded were unfair. Following several short periods of financial hardship, the factory prospered during World War Two, when it was tasked with the production of items for the armed services, including parachutes, dinghies and life jackets . The Mile Cross mill was closed in 1961 following the purchase of several new, more modern and efficient mills from three smaller silk printers. The Mile Cross site was then acquired by the Courtaulds group and the factory converted to produce metal frame windows. During the 1980s it was taken over by Eastern Glazed Ceramics who used it as a showroom and distribution centre.
Information from (S1) and (S2).
H. Hamilton (HES), 30 May 2014 and P. Watkins (HES), 16 February 2026.

January 2016. Photographic Survey.
Survey of former silk mill buildings ahead of their proposed demolition.
The original steel and brick factory building has a glazed hipped roof. Its construction date is confirmed by the cisterns above the down pipes which have 'H & H' and '1928' cast into the metalwork. During the 1940s the building was enlarged to the south and west, with an attempt made to blend in the new additions. Evidence of the original frontage of the 1928 could be seen internally. Various internal alterations to the office and administration areas were also probably made at this time. A large additional factory area was added to the north-east of the original building during the 1960s. This was linked to the main building by a covered but open-sided loading bay. A storage or equipment tower was also added to the north-east corner of the building at this time.
See report (S2) for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 16 February 2026.

Recent aerial imagery shows that the silk mill buildings had been completely demolished by the end of 2016.
P. Watkins (HES), 16 February 2026.