Here is a picture of a factory on the Leeds and Liverpool canal. this is very significant for its importance in cotton making in the industrial revolution of the 1800's. This is the home of the cotton mill.  so this town is a large portion of the setting and background information. 

This town was founded after the creation of the canal and became one of the most reknown spots for cotton work. For a time it was actually the largest cotton product producer in the worls in the 1860'S. This is important because a large portion of the book revolves around Thompson's cotton mill but after having researched this town I think it definitely gives the strikers a stronger case. the wealth creation was empahsised and thompson more than likely got a decent portion of that which he could have given the workers. 

I think understanding that his was a very new town and a town created on the sole purpose of merchandise creation and shipping helps us understand Thompsons greed. I would think that people would go to that town for a very specific reason.

Image- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burnley

Information- https://burnley.co.uk/explore-burnley/