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Shires Bridge Mill

Shires Bridge Mill, built circa 1937, is located to the south side of the market town of Easingwold, North Yorkshire, UK. The mill is sited just off the A19, that runs between Thirsk and York.

The 25,000 square foot building was built as a flax factory and was commissioned by the Ministry of Supply, to assist with the war effort. Flax fibre was used to create the material for parachute harnesses, sail cloth etc..

“During the war a large majority of the mill workers were women, and many girls from Easingwold and the surrounding villages chose this work as their war-time job. Girls from the villages were brought to and from work in buses. Many girls from York were also employed at the factory. At the present time there are more men workers, including some 40 German prisoners-of-war from a local camp. At one time Italian prisoners were on the staff. “ - taken from the Easingwold Advertiser, 24th August 1946.

An extract from the York Press advises of the location of the prisoner of war camp:

Black and white image of Shires Mill, Easingwold

“an Italian prisoner of war from the camp where Easingwold School now stands,”

Colour photo of Shires Bridge Mill from around 2000.

Following the closure of the flax mill in 1946, the building has been home to various businesses including both a textile factory and a pickle factory.

In the 1950s it was purchased by Brandsby Agricultural Trading Association (BATA), for use as an agricultural warehouse.

In 2006, the mill and surrounding land was purchased from BATA by Shires Land and Property (Northern) Ltd and is now home to Screenprint & Display, Shires Self Storage, and Ridings removals.