New lease of life for historic mills thanks to £1.3m lottery boost

The Arkwright Society has announced that Cromford Mills has secured £1.3 million in development funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

This major investment marks the beginning of ‘Cromford Mills: Celebrating Heritage, Creating a Sustainable Future’, a once-in-a-generation project to restore and reimagine some of the UK’s most significant Grade I listed 18th-century buildings.

Work will focus on the transformation of the landmark four-storey Mill, Building 1, which greets people as they walk through the main entrance to the site.

Éilis Scott, chief executive of the Arkwright Society, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to The National Lottery Heritage Fund and to all who support this project.

“This includes match funding from organisations and individuals including, The Pilgrim Trust and The Architectural Heritage Fund.

“Cromford Mills changed the world once, and we believe it can do so again – as a beacon of heritage, innovation and inclusion, rooted in our local communities.”

Thanks to National Lottery players, this support will fund the essential planning, consultation and design work phase, laying the groundwork for the full restoration and sustainable reuse of these historic spaces.

As part of the internationally significant Derwent Valley Mills UNESCO World Heritage Site, this milestone takes Cromford Mills a major step closer to being removed from Historic England’s National Heritage at Risk Register and securing its future as a vibrant heritage destination and thriving community space.

At the heart of the vision is a new skills and enterprise programme, to be developed in partnership with the University of Derby, local organisations and colleges.

This will focus on practical training and work placements in areas such as heritage construction, renewable energy, design, hospitality and tourism – equipping people of all ages with skills for the future.

The plans include creating new amenities, including a restaurant beside the iconic waterwheel, an engaging visitor welcome hub, as well as flexible event and function spaces.

Éilis said: “This funding brings us significantly closer to securing a sustainable future for this remarkable place.

“Restoring our vacant historic industrial buildings is about unlocking new opportunities, sparking innovation, and using the stories of creativity and enterprise to inspire.”

“Cromford Mills is for everyone, whether you work here, volunteer or visit.

“But keeping the mill gates open isn’t easy. Continued support is vital to conserve these buildings and ensure they remain open, welcoming and full of life – relevant for today and for generations to come.”