Grove Mill was built three storeys high and with a chimney of 155 feet on land belonging to the Greensnook Estate by Stewart and Hamilton who also built Kilnholme Mill Stacksteads in 1863. In 1868 the partnership of Stewart and Hamilton came to a end in 1868 at which time the machinery in  Grove Mill and Kilnholme mill were to be sold.

Grove Mill was home to the very first public swimming baths and  Bacup's first slipper works. In 1871 Mr Hamilton constructed a swimming bath for his son Johnny on the ground floor of the mill measuring 12ft wide and 21ft long, 6ft deep. The public could use the baths for the fee of two pence the only opportunity of being able to have a" wash all over". Mr Hamilton died at his home on Irwell Terrace in 1878 he was 50 years old, the mill was sold on February 11th 1880.

.

Mr Molesworthy Hepworth of Albion Mill bought Grove Mill in August 1889 and immediately moved his looms from Albion to Grove, however the mill was once again up for sale in 1897. In 1898 Grove Mill became the new home for Samuel Mc'Cleries slipper manufacturing plant. At the time of the move to Grove Mill Samuel had been in the slipper industry for 20 years and  was in partnership with his two elder sons, James and Jack but in 1900 they withdrew from the partnership and began their own firm J&J Mc'Cleries at New Hey Mills. Samuel carried on  at Grove Mill with his younger sons until he died at his home Clover Hill, in October 1904. By 1920 David and Ronal Mclerie had retired and and the business of Samuel Mclerie and Sons Ltd had been absorbed into the firm of Sir H.W.Trickett Ltd. One year later however 230 people working at Grove Mill were laid off when the directors decided they had no alternative but to close the works due to the after effects of the Great War. During 1941 the mill was occupied by Glendale Yarns and then by Thomas Manning Sons & Co  Calendar makers, Finishers, sack and bag manufacturers and jute webbings.