Category: mills

Historic England has published a new report exploring the potential of under-used and vacant mills. It identifies their possible contribution to rebalancing the country’s economy and improving environmental stability, and highlights regeneration success stories since 2017.

Textile mills were the original Northern Powerhouse. From the late 18th century onwards, they drove forward the industrial revolution. They triggered technical innovation, stimulated new trade and transformed the transport network. Silk, cotton, and woollen production shaped the landscape, economy, and communities of Greater Manchester, Lancashire, and Yorkshire. However, with the 20th century decline in national textile manufacturing, many of these monumental and characterful buildings face uncertain futures.

‘Driving Northern growth through repurposing historic mills’ re-assesses the re-use potential of under-used and vacant mills, identifies their possible contribution to rebalancing the country’s economy, and improving environmental sustainability, and highlights regeneration success stories since 2017.

The 2021 report update can be accessed by following this link: https://historicengland.org.uk/images-books/publications/driving-northern-growth-repurposing-mills/

It is based upon a more detailed technical assessment by Cushman & Wakefield.

As Coldharbour Mill celebrates its 40^th anniversary as a Museum, and approaches 225 years since the original Grist Mill and estate was bought by Thomas Fox in 1797, Coldharbour Mill Trust are consulting on the future of this nationally significant heritage site as part of its strategic review process.

The site has been described as “probably one of the best-preserved textile mill complexes in the country. It retains the full range of buildings and power system features which characterised the development of the 19th century textile mill with much of the machinery that was used at the site in the 20th century.” – English Heritage, Historic Buildings Report.

It had been increasingly difficult for heritage attractions such as Coldharbour Mill to secure resources to maintain their heritage sites pre-pandemic, a trend which had been seen all across the UK. Having been faced with the challenge of guiding the Trust through a pandemic and into a world which will be very different Coldharbour Mill’s Board feel it is important to review the direction of the Trust to develop a long-term and sustainable future whilst balancing this against the change in the heritage landscape that has been seen in the last year.

The process involves a wide range of stakeholders including the general public, staff, volunteers, visitors, neighbours, community, special interest groups and any other stakeholders who are asked to take 5 minutes to complete a short questionnaire.

Jackie Dawkins, Chair of Trustees for Coldharbour Mill Trust said ‘In order for Coldharbour Mill to thrive and deliver a sustainable future, we need to diversify and find new ways of increasing participation and generating income. We want to develop the Mill with the support and involvement of the community, our supporters, our visitors and anyone who already has or could have a connection with the Mill’.

Coldharbour Mill Chief Executive Martin Halse is asking the public to give their feedback via a questionnaire on the Mill’s website by Sunday 11^th April. The results will then be used to inform the Trustees decisions for Coldharbour Mill’s future direction.

You can have your say by going to www.coldharbourmill.org.uk.