Economic Activity GAZ Cockermouth

From the 12th century Cockermouth was the market centre for a wide agricultural hinterland. A market charter was granted in 1221. The town was the central cog in the economy through which rural produce was distributed and in which industrial processes were concentrated. At its peak in the first half of the 19th century there were over 40 industrial sites: 5 corn millers, 7 tanners, 14 textile manufacturers, 2 dyers, 4 hat manufacturers, 5 nail makers, 3 brick makers, 4 brewers and maltsters. With a large number of smaller concerns from clog makers to clockmakers, from tinsmiths to tailors, Cockermouth was largely self-sufficient, providing most needs within its boundaries.

The railways’ arrival (from Workington in 1847, from Penrith and Keswick in 1864), signalled wider changes leading to the decline of small scale, local manufacturing. Larger, innovative businesses survived. The Harris family’s Derwent Mills (linen, embroidery threads, etc.) employing up to 800 originally lay within Papcastle township but it was a vital part of Cockermouth’s economy for 100 years until it closed around 1934. Millers Shoes occupied those same Derwent Mills from the early years of the Second World War until 1990, employing up to 1100 workers in the town and other sites in West Cumbria.

Two iconic and important Cockermouth businesses founded in the 19th century are prospering in the 21st. Mitchell’s Auction Co., established in 1849,  (livestock, property and goods) has ensured the survival of the market town character:  new livestock auction premises were built on the south-west edge of the town in the early 21st century, (while, importantly, Sainsbury’s redeveloped the vacated town centre site).  Cockermouth has long been renowned for brewing (and for an inordinate number of inns/taverns). Jennings beer has been produced at the Castle Brewery since 1887 ( now part of Wolverhampton and Dudley Breweries).