Relocation plans were announced weeks ago and all 52 employees have taken up the opportunity to make the switch – many using transport laid on by the company.

"The warehouse at Steeton is a state-of-the-art facility built three years ago and it has much better facilities for employees," said spokesman Sarah Chadwick. "Albion Mill is old and in poor condition and to have carried out the repairs needed would have cost an awful lot of money."

Mail order catalogues were dispatched from there and the move has been made gradually so as not to disrupt this service.

"We had two people tidying up the site this week, but they are expected to move anytime now," said Sarah.

Albion Mill was built in 1893 and has seen several changes, including the removal of the chimney and boiler house.

Now residents are concerned what will happen once Damart departs. Speaking on their behalf at the meeting of Earby Parish Council, former parish councillor Lucille Mitchell questioned whether the mill could be demolished and the site sold to a developer for housing, something many would be reluctant to see.

Coun. Chris Tennant said being in a conservation area, the owners would have to get planning permission to demolish the mill. "But they could take the roof off as they did the Boot Street mill," he warned.

Coun. Morris Horsefield would like to see some of the land used for a town square if the mill was demolished. "It would be brilliant to have open space in the centre of Earby and would be money well spent," he said.

Councillors agreed, but were warned by Coun. Tennant that while most people would probably be in favour of such a plan, the parish council didn't own the site or have the money to buy it.

There was some suggestion previously that the mill's status could be changed from employment use and he recommended councillors and local residents to check out the new draft of the Local Development Framework that Pendle Council currently has out for consultation.