Swalwell, Northumber Paper Mills

Swalwell Paper Mill is shown on 2nd edition Ordnance Survey map. In 1883 a lease was issued to William Grace and Co. of Scotswood, paper-makers, for a new paper mill on part of the site of Swalwell Ironworks (HER 5979). The arrangement was formalised in 1891. Ridley & Co kept the south side of the ironworks site, which included the rolling mill and forge, for a steel and engineering works. Grace's site included the Grand Warehouse, two cementation furnaces and everything west and north of the Grand Warehouse, all of which were demolished. William Grace & Co probably brought their Northumberland Paper Mill into production in 1887 and by 1894 it was making manillas, rope and browns, glazed and unglazed casings and tips.