History of Nottingham Lace
History of Nottingham Lace The origins of the Nottingham lace industry started in 1768 when Richard Arkwright established a small cotton mill in Hockley, which led to the development of back to back housing for mill workers. By the 1840s, lace making was leaning away from a domestic industry towards an international export. This resulted in buildings being built close together and narrow streets that are now characteristic of the area today. An example of these buildings is the Adams Building on Stoney Street, where one of the Nottingham College bases is. At its height in the 1890s, the lace industry in Nottingham employed 25000 (mostly female) workers. It attracted a large number of foreign merchants, workers and factory owners who came in search of knowledge, lace commodities and machinery resulting in many foreign consulates being set up to facilitate trade. The largest markets for Nottingham Lace were France, Germany, the USA and South America. Adams Building The Adams Building w