This building, known as Spital Mills, was used in the tobacco cutting business from the 1860's. It was owned by the Mason family. George Mason set up a small factory on Wheeldon Lane, his son, Edward transferred the business to this Spital location. By the 1880's it employed more girls than any other business in Chesterfield. It specialised in Irish Roll Tobacco, Cropper and Virginia Brands and became on of the largest centres in the country. The business eventually declined and the business closed c.1907. See DCCC000425