R. and T. Howarth
of Crossfield Works, Norwich-street, Rochdale
Civil engineering contractors
Founded by Robert Howarth (1863-1911) and Thomas Howarth (1873-1943)
1901 Built the Moor Mill, Castleton
1908 Built Harp Mill, Castleton
1926 'Mr. Fred Howarth, one of the directors, who is a member of the firm of R. and T. Howarth, builders and contractors'[1]
1942 'Mr. Thomas Howarth, J.P., Chairman of Messrs. R and T. Howarth'. 'From 1900 to 1911 Mr. Howarth was in partnership with his brother Robert. On the latter’s death his son, Mr. Fred Howarth, joined the firm, and in 1936 it was formed into a limited company with Mr. Thomas Howarth as chairman of directors.'[2]
Overview. 'St. John's RC Church. The now-demolished Rialto Cinema which stood at corner of School Lane and Drake Street. Both were built by local building and public works contractors R. & T. Howarth Ltd....the town's numerous impressive buildings built by R. and T. Howarth Ltd during the firm's 81 years in existence. Before R and T's went out with a bang it had put many a quality building on Rochdale's landscape. Included in the R. and T. list are: State, Arrow and Dunlop mills, Tweedales and Smalley's Castleton engineering works, Turf Hill housing estate, the Golden Ball Hotel on Spotland Road, the Farewell Inn at Castleton, the Smalley Memorial Hall at Castleton, the Rialto Cinema, the Yorkshire Penny Bank in Yorkshire Street, the town centre Post Office, Champness Hall Rochdale, Central Baths Greenhill, Grammar School for Girls (now Falinge High School) Rochdale's New Market (not to be confused with "Toytown") and several large private houses'[3]