Latest edition of Innovate Magazine celebrates reinvention of historic mills

In the latest edition of Marketing Derby’s Innovate Magazine launched this week, we throw a spotlight on how many of the historic mills which line the Derwent Valley are being reinvented.

One of the jewels in the crown of Derwent Valley Mills, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site, is Masson Mills.

Situated on the west bank of the River Derwent, at Matlock Bath, Sir Richard Arkwright, considered by many as the father of the industrial factory system, constructed Masson in 1783 following the success of his first water-powered mill, built just a few years earlier down the road in Cromford.

In its heyday, it was home to hundreds of workers spinning cotton. Today, as Innovate discovers, it is once again a thriving centre for enterprise – and a place which can be enjoyed by the public.

Another historic gem, which is once again a hub of activity, is Derby City Council’s Derby Market Hall.

Following a painstaking £35.1 million transformation, the Grade II-listed Victorian building reopened to the public in May as a centre for artisan traders, creatives and entertainment.

Innovate meets some of those traders and speaks to venue manager Hana York about the exciting challenge of re-establishing Derby Market Hall as the place to trade from and to visit.

There are many local businesses harnessing the innovative spirit of Arkwright.

Among them is Whitehouse Construction, which last year was recognised with a King’s Award for Innovation for developing a flood door, which can help protect homes in a major weather event.

Innovate goes along to the firm’s Derby manufacturing centre to meet the firm’s chair, Jo Ewart-Sear, to find out how it perfects technologies to help protect UK homes from the ever-growing threat of climate change.

For 30 years, Artcore has been on a mission to encourage, support and showcase artistic talent.

In this edition of Innovate, we meet the charity’s founders Zahir and Ruchita Shaikh, who reflect on how over the last three decades, Artcore has developed into a vibrant cultural centre, supporting artists, while also reaching out to the public, opening their eyes to the wellbeing benefits that art can provide.

Getting out into the countryside and being active is another way of keeping body and mind healthy – and you can do this in spades at Mount Cook Adventure Centre.

Innovate takes a trip to the eight-acre former Derbyshire limestone quarry, which the not-for-profit organisation calls home, to meet chief executive Steve Turner, who explains how they are imparting their passion for the outdoors on visitors, particularly schoolchildren.

And we meet the team at Work Wallet, a Derby tech company whose clever software is helping to make workplaces safer than ever.

This edition’s Talking Business discussion sees a panel of experts come together to talk about how Derby can make the most of £9 billion of government investment through the Ministry of Defence ‘Unity’ contract that has been agreed with Rolls-Royce Submarines.

Finally, John Forkin, managing director at Marketing Derby, talks about the importance of listening to the customer in order to achieve success.

To read a digital version of the latest Innovate Magazine visit https://heyzine.com/flip-book/bdf509d000.html.