Managers sought for Shrewsbury Flax Mill Maltings regeneration
The partners behind plans to regenerate Shrewsbury’s historic Flax Mill Maltings are seeking two managers to help develop the plans and secure nearly £12m of funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).
In May 2012, following a bid to the HLF, Shropshire Council, English Heritage and the Friends of the Flax Mill Maltings were awarded a first-round pass plus £465,300 of development funding.
This funding will now be used to develop more detailed plans, before a second round bid is submitted to HLF within the next 18 months in the hope of securing a further grant of £11,686,000.
The first new post 'Project Manager' - will oversee and co-ordinate all of the development work that must be carried out before the second-round bid is submitted, including an interpretation plan that aims to identify potential users.
They will also develop a business plan to ensure the long-term sustainability of the buildings through a mix of public and commercial activity.
The second new post 'Friends of Flaxmill Maltings Manager' will help the Friends to push forward their plans for managing the public access areas of the site, help manage a wide range of community and heritage activities while playing a key role in the overall development.
Both posts are fixed-term for 18 months and will be paid for from the HLF development funding.
Councillor Mal Price, Shropshire Council's Cabinet member for economic growth and prosperity, said:
"These two posts will be vitally important in helping us to develop our plans ahead of a second-round bid to HLF, and in helping to ensure that this bid is successful. By the time this bid is submitted we will have a much greater understanding of who the likely users of the buildings will be, how we can attract them and what work needs to be done before – and after – any potential users move in and start using these fantastic buildings."
Councillor Alan Mosley, Chair of the Friends of the Flaxmill Maltings, said:
"I am delighted that the HLF has financed this post. Our efforts have been vital in contributing to the success of the Project so far. This post will help ensure that our work in providing public access to the heritage, learning, interpretation, community activity and leisure can increase strongly to the next stage."
Chris Smith, English Heritag's National Planning Director, said:
"The Ditherington Flax Mill is one of the most significant monuments of the Industrial Revolution is an outstanding structure that changed the world of construction and design. These posts will play a key role in bringing the site and its buildings back into use so once again, they can be a thriving local resource, bringing new life to the surrounding area."
The closing date for applications is Thursday 26 July 2012, with interviews scheduled for Tuesday 7 August 2012. It is hoped that the successful candidates will be start work as soon as possible after that.
Information about the project and postitions can be found at: http://www.flaxmill-maltings.co.uk/news/new-jobs.
