Restored mill opens for business
RETAIL landmark Darley Mill is reopening today after a renovation programme costing more than £1.5m.
The Darley Mill Centre, located near Menwith Hill in North Yorkshire, has been upgraded and restored.
The Mill, which dates back to 1767, now boasts:
• three retail floors specialising in homes, gardens and gifts
• 60-seater licensed restaurant and tea rooms serving locally-sourced produce
• restored 27ft diameter working water wheel which will generate the mill’s electricity
• parking
• wishing well in aid of St Michael’s Hospice
Darley Mill closed in January with new owner Ross Leventhal promising the grade two-listed building would be restored to give visitors an “experience beyond shopping”.
The renovation has also created 25 full and part-time jobs.
Mr Leventhal, who is managing director of Harrogate-based Yorkshire Linen Company, said: “When the Darley Mill Centre opened two decades ago it quickly established itself as the number one factory outlet in Yorkshire.
“Then, shoppers and tourists alike travelled miles to visit it and shop. What we have done in 2009 is capture what made it so successful then and add a new, exciting dimension that has created what we believe to be an experience beyond shopping.
“Both my wife and I worked for the company that launched the mill back in 1985 and I am delighted that, 24 years later, we are back here running it.
“We have some very ambitious plans for the mill’s future, which include a garden centre and children’s petting farm.
“We are catering 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.”
Tomorrow former Emmerdale and Bad Girls Star, Claire King, will be at the mill, meeting shoppers and helping raise money for its adopted charity, St Michael’s Hospice.
Members of the public will have the opportunity to pay £5 to have their photograph taken with Claire, who will then personally sign it, with all proceeds going to the charity.
Darley Mill dates back to the 14th century. It was restored in 1985 into a retail outlet selling a variety of linens, crafts and clothing.
