Hi, I just accidentally came across your message about the handbag place, Macben manufacturing. My dad was company director of this place, Unfortunately, he passed away this January. Bernard Perner was foreman and I knew most of the staff. I had to laugh when you mentioned the lift with lattice doors. My dad tried to be clever and go from the shop floor to the basement instead of using stairs (one floor). It was the weekend and he was the only one in the factory. Guess what, the lift got stuck half way. It was hours before I discovered him missing and found him there
The lift was not even meant for people, just for goods. I have good memories of this place and worked downstairs with Malcolm Hibbert, the main cutter. There was also a handbag warehouse on Cheetham Hill Rd called Cheetham Bag Company. If you have any further recollections of this place, I would love to hear it.
Daniel.