Francis Kirk & Son Ltd, Saxon St
The firm of Francis Kirk & Son, engineers' suppliers and mill furnishers, was established in 1868 by Francis Kirk.
Francis was succeeded by his son, Thomas, who was succeeded by his younger son, James Spencer Kirk MBE (b.1919).
Slater's Trade Directory for 1903 records that the firm had premises on Saxon St and on Manchester Road on the corner of Queen St. At this time, the residence of Francis Kirk was on Russell St.
In May 2004 the firm moved to new premises on Oakden Drive, off Denton Hall Farm Road, and subsequently the Saxon St premises were demolished. It is comprised of Francis Kirk & Son Ltd and Francis Kirk (Socket Screws) Ltd.
Saxon St
The original Saxon St, off the south side of Hyde Road near Crown Point, was replaced by a short dual carriageway with the same name.
The nearby Russell St, Iron St and Victoria Ironworks are now covered by Morrisons supermarket and car park.