The owner of a famous Grade II* TV mill, has resolved to make 2015 the year that the first tenants can move into to the previously derelict parts of the property.
The New Years’ resolution comes exactly four years after Dalton Mills was the victim of a massive blaze, which threatened to wipe out huge swathes of the West Yorkshire landmark. Since then the mill has changed hands, and its current owner, Paul Harris has made impressive steps forward with its restoration.
The front of the Genappe Mill, which encompasses around 80,000 sq ft, has been sandblasted to restore it to its former glory, and the roof has been almost completely repaired. Since the cold weather set in, the construction team have turned their attention to the interior of the mill, and Mr Harris is hopeful that the first lot of space will be ready for letting next year.
He says: “We’ve made great strides this year, and I’m confident that 2015 will be the start of a bright future for Dalton Mills. We are still on track to have the first batch of commercial space available in the Genappe Mill, and we have a diverse list of interest building up that includes retailers, arts facilities and cafes. We are also in consultation about uses for the rest of the site, which could include a hotel, leisure facilities or a museum or heritage centre, and we’re happy to discuss any potential opportunities.”
It’s a far cry from New Year’s Day 2011, when the mill made headlines after 100 firefighters worked through the night to extinguish a blaze which threatened to devastate its development.
Although the fire was eventually contained, Dalton Mills suffered serious damage, particularly to the New Mill at the rear of the site, and its future looked uncertain until it was finally sold to Mr Harris in 2013.
Last year, the mill’s listing was upgraded from Grade II to Grade II*, recognising it as being part of the top 8% of architecturally important buildings in the UK, and English Heritage are working with Mr Harris to help bring the whole of the 200,000 sq. ft site back into use.
The mill is an iconic part of Yorkshire’s industrial heritage and a frequent star of TV and film, boasting appearances in Peaky Blinders, North and South, Sunday Life and Bedlam. It has also carved out a niche amongst supernatural enthusiasts, while its renovations are taking place, with four ghost hunting companies running events at the site.
Its Clock Tower has already been converted into a thriving 20,000 sq. ft office development, which has maintained almost 100% occupancy throughout much of 2014.
Dalton Mills was once the largest employer in Keighley, with over 2000 workers producing worsted yarn and cloth from the site, in its heyday.
Its recent renovations have received an incredibly positive reaction, with locals commenting how great it was to see the mill looking good again, and even Shadow Chancellor, Ed Balls, commenting during a recent tour of the site that: “the mill is a monument to past success, but also a big vote of confidence in Keighley’s future.”
