Holebottom Colliery

Holebottom Colliery was situated on Moss Street (now named Fairbottom Street) in Oldham. In 1854 the colliery was operated by Lees, Jones and Co, and this continued until 1878

The photograph shows Fairbottom Street in the middle of the 19th century. The base of the colliery chimney stack was later covered up by the front stalls of the Kings Cinema, which was built in 1911. The pit shaft is also now under buildings. The large building in the background, is the back of the Theatre Royal on Horsedge Street. The Coliseum, which was built in 1887 would appear later on the extreme right of this view.

In 1856 the pit was part of a valuation of the assets of Lees, Jones and Company. the equipment was listed as:

One pair headstocks, pulleys, capstan and cages
One 24 horse, condensing engine with pumping gear complete
One 20 horse, H.P. winding engine, with winding gear complete
One hemp and one wire rope
Two boilers fitted up complete
One boiler house and chimney
One wire capstan rope
Smith shop and store rooms
1305 pairs of rails with iron sleepers
69 3-basket wagons

2 houses at Holebottom

In August 1876 the rotary beam engine at Holebottom was giving 17 strokes/minute and the pumps working 6 strokes/minute. The shaft was 177 yards deep to the Lower Bent seam, passing through five other seams on the way

Operation passed to Jones and Company in 1878 but legal disputes and geological problems led to closure around 1880.