New owners give new life to Darley Mill
HISTORIC Darley Mill, which dates back to the 18th century and pioneered factory shopping, is to be given a new lease of life as a retail venue under new owners.
Harrogate-based Ross Leventhal, the new owner of the Darley Mill Centre, is investing significantly in the building which is located near Menwith Hill in North Yorkshire.
Darley Mill closed earlier this month but is set to reopen in mid-March.
Mr Leventhal, together with his wife, Kirsteen, plans to refurbish the site to boast three retail floors including linens, home wares, gifts, books and crafts; a 60-seater restaurant and tea rooms; the restoration of the 27ft diameter working water wheel generating the mill’s electricity; a children’s outdoor play area; and family attractions.
Mr Leventhal, who heads the Yorkshire Linen Company, also plans to stage regular weekend events in the mill’s extensive grounds, children’s petting farm and garden centre.
“Both my wife and I worked for the company which originally launched the Darley Mill Centre, so its businesses potential is very well known to the pair of us,” said Mr Leventhal.
“In its heyday, it was a magnet for shoppers and tourists alike. Our plans will see a new Darley Mill Centre not only capture all that made it so successful then, but add a new dimension which we believe will create an experience beyond shopping.
“We are going to cater for more than shoppers. Because people will make a conscious decision to travel to us, we want them to stay as long as possible and be entertained during that period.”
Mr Leventhal said he had commissioned one of the country’s leading experts in environmental engineering, to restore the water wheel to full working order, enabling it to generate the mill’s power.
“Amid a lot of gloom on the high street, this is a major boost for Yorkshire’s retail, tourist and business sectors,” Mr Leventhal added.
The scheme is being project managed by Ian Lawson from Horsforth-based Lawson and Co, and the main contractor is TBM, of York.
Darley Mill, which dates back to 1767, was restored in 1985 into a retail outlet selling a variety of linens, crafts and clothing.
