Friends Celebrate Great Progress at Flaxmill Maltings

We are delighted that 2015 will be a year of significant developments at Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings and tremendous progress for the Friends.

Now under the leadership of English Heritage the partnership, which also comprises the Friends and Shropshire Council, achieved an award from the European Regional Development Fund of £1,169,226.  Matched by English Heritage this funding is enabling the demolition of the South Silo and the complete refurbishment of the Office and Stables and associated public realm spaces.

The demolition is currently underway and will be completed in January.  This will be followed by other contractors who will renovate the Grade 2 listed Office and Stables and develop the outdoor space for public use, which is planned for completion by the late Autumn.

These buildings date back to the original Flaxmill and will provide a base for the Friends with reception, a visitor centre, interpretation and learning spaces together with a research and work space for their volunteers.

At the same time English Heritage have commissioned a thoroughgoing feasibility study of the whole site and its Masterplan.  This will help identify means of moving forward with a revised plan to maximise the current offer of Heritage Lottery Fund awards while releasing and developing the rest of the site as soon as possible.

Alan Mosley, Chair of the Friends said:

“This will be a really exciting year for the Friends as the first stage in the restoration of these internationally important buildings actually reaches fruition.  We have stimulated a massive degree of public involvement and interest among the local and wider community and will finally have something to show for it which people will be able to visit, enjoy and learn from.

The reworking of the Masterplan is tremendously positive as the Partnership pushes forward to revive plans which will bring the restoration of other heritage buildings, develop the wider site and serve as a vital force in further regeneration throughout the area.”

Tim Johnston, Project Manager from English Heritage said

‘English Heritage very much welcomes the commitment and enthusiasm of the Friends in bringing this initial stage forward with the support of the ERDF. We look forward to working with them in developing the interpretation for the Office and Stables which will help tell the fascinating story of this iconic site for visitors and local people alike’

It will be a landmark year and one in which our trustees, volunteers, supporters and the public can truly celebrate.  We wish everyone a very happy New Year”