First stage of project to save Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings complete

The new visitor centre will chart the site’s history, along with the story of its engineering, architectural and social legacy.

The visitor centre, which will be managed by the Friends of the Flaxmill Maltings, will open for a special preview to invited guests, followed by a community open event, on Tuesday 24 November, 2015, before opening officially to the public.

The centre will bring together for the first time interpretations of the mill’s role in the industrial revolution and the pioneers who made it happen.

There will also be a short animation film that visitors can watch which charts the history of the building and its people, as well as well as oral history recollections of people who worked at the Maltings and who were barracked there during the last war.

Historic England, previously known as English Heritage, took over the site in 2005 in order to halt its decline, making sure these important buildings are secure and weather-tight. Working in partnership with the Friends of the Flaxmill Maltings and Shropshire Council, the site is steadily being revived. Regeneration was kick-started by the Department for Communities and Local Government who awarded a funding package of £1.17m through the European Regional Development Fund.

Stage one has seen the conversion of the office and stables which will be managed by the Friends of the Flaxmill Maltings as a visitor centre, including reception, interpretation displays, film and audio material, research and learning resources. The 1950s silo was also demolished, providing pleasant open space for cultural, interpretation and public use.

As well as managing the visitor centre, the Friends of the Flaxmill Maltings will also provide guided tours of the historic buildings so that organisations, groups and individuals can explore, learn, participate in and enjoy the unique and varied heritage. The Friends are also carrying out a research project which has uncovered the fascinating stories of the people who worked at the Flaxmill, even tracing a number of their descendants, some of whom still live in the Shrewsbury area. They are also soon to commence working on education facilities and resources for use by schools and colleges.

Duncan Wilson, Chief Executive, Historic England, said:

“Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings changed the world of construction and design with its revolutionary iron frame and I am delighted to be able to announce the completion of the first stage of its revival with the opening of the visitor centre.

"For the first time on a day to day basis visitors will be able to come and find out more about the fascinating history of this site. But, there is still much more to do, and we will continue to work in partnership with the Friends, funders and Shropshire Council to make sure this incredibly important piece of international heritage has a sustainable future worthy of its past.”

The completion of Phase One will also hopefully be the catalyst for the area’s wider economic and social regeneration and the site will once again become a vitally important local landmark.

Alan Mosley, Chair, Friends of the Flaxmill Maltings, said:

“Our aim is to bring the site back to life at the heart of the community and hence we are delighted to have played such a prominent role in achieving this first stage towards that ambition.

"This success is testament to the hard work of many volunteers and the enthusiasm of the local and wider community for this exciting project.”

Councillor Mal Price, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member with responsibility for the Flaxmill Maltings, said:

“This is a hugely complex project, but the completion of phase one – and the creation of a visitor centre - is a significant and important development, and is excellent news.”

Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings, is being brought back to life with the launch of a visitor centre thanks to a £2.3 million regeneration project supported by Historic England and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).