Funding enables Shrewsbury Flax Mill work to start
Contractors will this month begin stage one of the restoration of Shrewsbury's Flax Mill after European funding will allows the project to get underway.
Work on the demolition of the 1950’s silo will start within the next month and is due to be completed by the end of January 2015.
Conversion of the office and stables for use by the Friends of the Flax Mills Maltings as a visitor and reception centre are due for completion by autumn 2015.
A funding package of £2.6m has been awarded to Stage one of the Shrewsbury Flax Mill Maltings project to kick start regeneration. The Department for Communities and Local Government have awarded funding through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) of the maximum amount of funding requested by English Heritage - £1,169,226. English Heritage will provide the balance of the funds.
English Heritage announced they were taking the lead in the regeneration of Shrewsbury’s Flax Mill Maltings in March 2014. They appointed one of their senior managers, Tim Johnston, Planning and Conservation Director for the West Midlands, to run the project for the first 12 months. He is devoting his time to progressing the first stage of the project and creating a long-term future for the Flax Mill Maltings.
Alan Mosley, Chairman of the Friends of the Flaxmill Maltings, said:
“This is the tremendous news we have been looking forward to for some time now.
We are delighted that we will have a visitor and community centre for interpretation, exhibitions, learning, research and reception with new areas of multi-use open space. There is great energy and activity in the project and we are confident that this stage will kick-start the next vital regeneration stage and we know that all partners are working hard towards that objective.“
The Flax Mill is the world’s first cast-iron framed building and is the forerunner of the modern skyscraper.
Heritage Open Days 2014
Friends of the Flax Mill Maltings will be opening the complex for the Heritage open days in September.
Sat 13 September: 10:00-16:00
Sun 14 September: 10:00-16:00
Guided tours will be available at regular intervals throughout the weekend. There will be interpretation and displays on the history, structure and uses of the buildings. Explore the social history of the Flaxmill Maltings and take part in learning and fun activities for all ages. There will be an art exhibition and live music on site. Refreshments will be available.
