Applications sought for Flax Mill Maltings regeneration roles
The partners behind plans to regenerate Shrewsbury’s historic Flax Mill Maltings are seeking two managers to help develop the plans and secure nearly £12m of funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).
In May 2012, following a bid to the HLF, Shropshire Council, English Heritage and the Friends of the Flax Mill Maltings were awarded a ‘first-round pass’ plus £465,300 of development funding.
This funding will now be used to develop more detailed plans, before a second round bid is submitted to HLF within the next 18 months in the hope of securing a further grant of £11,686,000.
The first new post – Project Manager – will oversee and co-ordinate all of the development work that must be carried out before the HLF second-round bid is submitted, including an interpretation plan that aims to identify potential users.
They will also develop a business plan to ensure the long-term sustainability of the buildings through a mix of public and commercial activity.
The second new post – Friends of Flaxmill Maltings Manager – will help the Friends to push forward their plans for managing the public access areas of the site, help manage a wide range of community and heritage activities while playing a key role in the overall development.
Both posts are fixed-term for 18 months and will be paid for from the HLF development funding.
Councillor Mal Price, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for economic growth and prosperity, said:
“These two posts will be vitally important in helping us to develop our plans ahead of a second-round bid to HLF, and in helping to ensure that this bid is successful. By the time this bid is submitted we will have a much greater understanding of who the likely users of the buildings will be, how we can attract them and what work needs to be done before – and after – any potential users move in and start using these fantastic buildings.”
Councillor Alan Mosley, Chair of the Friends of the Flaxmill Maltings, said:
“I am delighted that the HLF has financed this post. Our efforts have been vital in contributing to the success of the Project so far. This post will help ensure that our work in providing public access to the heritage, learning, interpretation, community activity and leisure can increase strongly to the next stage.”
Chris Smith, English Heritage’s National Planning Director, said:
“The Ditherington Flax Mill is one of the most significant monuments of the Industrial Revolution – an outstanding structure that changed the world of construction and design. These posts will play a key role in bringing the site and its buildings back into use so once again, they can be a thriving local resource, bringing new life to the surrounding area.”
Information about the project manager position and how to apply can be found here. Information about the Friends manager position can be found here. at http://www.flaxmill-maltings.co.uk/news/new-jobs.
The closing date for applications is Thursday 26 July 2012, with interviews scheduled for Tuesday 7 August 2012. It is hoped that the successful candidates will be start work as soon as possible after that.
Further information
- Built on the northern edge of Shrewsbury, the Ditherington Flax Mill Maltings site includes many buildings of historic interest, including the internationally-important Main Mill. Built in 1797, this is the world’s first cast-iron framed building and is the forerunner of the modern skyscraper.
- If the full £12.1m of funding is secured, it would be put towards the first phase of the redevelopment of the site, which aims to restore and bring back into use some of the main historic buildings – including the Main Mill, the Kiln, the Dye and Stove House and the Office and Stables. The site would be opened up to allow people to visit and learn about its long and interesting history, and space would be provided for business and commercial use.
- English Heritage acquired the derelict buildings in 2005, and has since been working with a steering group made up of Shropshire Council, the Homes and Communities Agency, the Friends of the Flax Mill Maltings and architects of the scheme Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios, to find a new use for the site. The goal is to create a long-term future for the historic buildings and for the community of which they have so long been a part.
- The Friends of the Flax Mill Maltings will continue to play a pivotal role in developing the project. With objectives based on restoration, access, community involvement and learning the Friends has now grown, over the last two years, to have over 800 members and is based on the work of volunteers. The first round approval from HLF will provide them with revenue for the appointment of a manager and to undertake a number of heritage related community activities alongside research and education projects. This capacity building will enable the Friends to take full responsibility for the areas designated for public access and other activities as described in the proposals. For more information on the Friends go to: http://www.flaxmill-maltings.co.uk
- Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) sustains and transforms a wide range of heritage for present and future generations to take part in, learn from and enjoy. From museums, parks and historic places to archaeology, natural environment and cultural traditions, we invest in every part of our diverse heritage. HLF has supported 33,000 projects, allocating £4.9bn across the UK. Website: www.hlf.org.uk
