Space snapped up at ‘TV’ mill

A FAMOUS West Yorkshire mill has let more than 85% of its available business
units and is building a list of interest for when its next round of renovations are complete.

There are only a couple of units left in Dalton Mills’ historic Clock
Tower, which has become a thriving business hub since it was acquired by
Paul Harris of Bellissimo Workspace last year.

New tenants that have relocated to Dalton Mills recently, include Tech and Print Solutions,Signature Stairlifts and Shield Roofing Services.

The mill’s owners have also found some other innovative ways to boost
revenue, with ghost hunts and period dramas helping to fuel its £30m renaissance.

When the mill changed hands last year, a large section of the site– around
150,000 sq ft – needed extensive restoration, and over the last three
months major repairs have taken place.

Mr Harris has canvassed opinions to pinpoint the best uses for the site, and people have responded with some interesting insights.

Retail and leisure facilities have been popular suggestions for the mill but more creative ideas have included an Asian wedding venue, a wildlife centre and even an observatory.

It’s expected that more office space will be created at Dalton Mills alongside the existing commercial units in the Clock Tower, especially as these are being snapped up so quickly at the moment, but Mr Harris is also interested in hearing other innovative ideas about uses for the complex.

In the interim, Dalton Mills has become a popular backdrop for film and TV
productions and it has had starring roles in dramas such as Peaky
Blinders, Bedlam, North and South, and a host of Bollywood films.

It is listed on the Creative England website and frequently fields enquiries
from TV companies who are looking for original features from the Victorian
era to add authenticity to their productions.

The mill is capitalising on a recent upsurge in interest in ‘ghost
hunting’ tours, to boost revenue until its renovation is complete. Fright
Nights, a nationwide company offering paranormal experiences, are hiring
out the mill for some of their events where participants get a spooky
night-time tour of the disused part of the Grade II* listed former textile
mill, as well as a chance to use scientific and ‘ghost busting’ equipment.

In November last year, Dalton Mills had its English Heritage funding
upgraded from Grade II to Grade II*, placing it in the top 8%
of architecturally important buildings in the UK.

Although the change in listing means stricter controls about preserving the building, it could also offer greater access to funding to speed up the restoration even further. Its upgraded status, will also give it the same recognition as
near neighbours Salts Mill in Saltaire and Bradford’s Manningham Mills.

Paul is aware that he is facing quite a challenge in restoring Dalton  Mills, and establishing it as the cornerstone of the community that it  once was.

The mill, which employed over 1000 people in its heyday, saw its
fortunes decline in line with the UK’s manufacturing industry and by the
1980’s it was virtually empty. It was purchased by Magna Holdings in 2004
but continued to be dogged by bad luck, including a major blaze in 2010
that destroyed a large portion of the mill. The restoration work to the
Genappe Mill – a new roof and sandblasting to the front of the building
has been met with a massively positive reaction and the local community is
clearly eager to see the mill thriving as quickly as possible.

He said: “Dalton Mills was a building which immediately caught my eye
as I personally think it is beautiful and offers so much scope and
potential. That’s why I would like to hear from people in the region to
find out what they think should be at this historic site in the long-term,
and what is missing from their area at the moment, as well as commercial
ventures who could envisage their future in this historic setting.”