Major incident was declared

Landmark former printworks destroyed in blaze

24 June 2025

Printers

Part of the building has collapsed. Image: Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service

A landmark historic mill building in Manchester city centre that was home to a local printing company for nearly 100 years has been destroyed in a huge fire.

The Victorian building began life as a cotton mill in 1801 and was believed to be Manchester’s oldest remaining mill.

The Hotspur Press, Percy Brothers Ltd, occupied the building from 1902 until 1996.

The fire at the building broke out yesterday afternoon (23 June) at around 4.30pm.

At the height of the blaze more than 20 fire engines, two aerial units and 100 firefighters were working at the scene, with Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service declaring a major incident.

Two neighbouring apartment blocks had to be evacuated as the fire spread to some balconies, and Oxford Road station and the nearby railway line had to be closed for a period.

Part of the Hotspur Press building has collapsed.

The Hotspur Press building prior to the fire. Image: Manner

In an update this morning a fire service spokesperson commented: “Shortly after 9pm, the major incident was lifted. The occupants of one of those blocks have now been able to return home, while the other remains closed as we work with Manchester City Council and the building owner to make the building habitable again.

“Crews will be joined by specialist fire officers later this morning to begin investigating the cause of the fire, as well as assessing the extent of the structural damage to the building.

“We’d like to thank the public for allowing us to get on with the job last night under very challenging conditions.”

The mill and the printing firm’s historic signage was a local landmark and formed part of heritage tours. An application to list the building was dismissed in January.

Manchester residents and people with connections to the city expressed dismay on social media at the loss of the historic building.

London-based property developer Manner acquired the site in 2020 and had proposed to build a huge tower block of 619 student accommodation rooms, with a design that preserved the iconic Percy Brothers signage and brick facade of the mill at street level. It had previously scrapped plans for the tower to have a matching red brick cladding.

Manner submitted updated plans and the planning application to redevelop the site was approved by Manchester City Council in May.