Welcome to Slawit SHOP!
Celebrating 100 years of the iconic Carr Lane parade.
What Is Slawit SHOP?
Slawit SHOP celebrates 100 years of an iconic parade of shops on Carr lane and aims to explore their social and economic history and that of retail in Slaithwaite by preserving and revitalising our community’s heritage. We will be running a programme of community research and enterpritation sessions to create innovative heritage resources and establish a digitised and accessible archive for both Moonraking and SLAWIT shop project.
In a year long community programme, we will be:
Delivering community research sessions to explore local history
Creating exciting resources and activities inspired by the past
Establishing an accessible archive for Slaithwaite Moonraking & Slawit SHOP!
Marking the parade’s centenary with a special celebration and exhibition
The Village and Its Heritage
Slaithwaite is a historic village shaped by the Industrial Revolution, with canals, railways, and mills defining much of its landscape. Today, it’s a thriving community known for its creativity, independent shops, and ethical cooperatives. Slawit SHOP will share this story of change, highlighting the vital role of shops in community life.
Get involved!
Share memories, photos or information about these eight shops
Join the heritage research group, Slawit Sifters – to uncover fascinating local history.
Email us at slawitshop@gmail.com or phone Sky on 07879470083
Project Activities
40th Anniversary Moonraking Celebrations (February 2025)
Families will create lanterns inspired by the Carr Lane shops in workshops.
The 40-year Moonraking Archive will be digitised and showcased online and at the festival.
Research and Creative Responses (March – October 2025)
Three research groups (young people, adults, and university researchers) will explore the history of the 8 focused Shops on Carr Lane (currently trading as Ryder and Dutton, Valli, Opticians Green Valley Grocers, Culture, Motor Parts, Bottomley’s, Mateer, Vanilla Bean).
Local schools will interpret these findings through arts, music, and drama. o Stories will be shared in monthly podcasts and through small artist commissions.
Shop Centenary Celebration (November 2025-January 2026)
QR-coded Heritage plaques that give the history of the 8 featured Carr Lane shops will provide interactive content, creating a self-guided history trail.
Heritage Plaque Trail (January 2026)
QR-coded Heritage plaques that give the history of the 8 featured Carr Lane shops will provide interactive content, creating a self-guided history trail.