Arkwright Society: Cromford Mill Formed in 1972, the Arkwright After receiving ERDF and Heritage Lottery Society is an educational charity (HLF) funding, in January 2012 the Society devoted to the rescue of industrial began working on redeveloping the largest heritage buildings and helping to building on the Cromford Mill site into units for creative businesses and a ground floor preserve the built and natural visitor’s gateway to the heritage site. The environment in and around space for creative businesses will offer up Derbyshire. to 100 work stations in adjustable units. In 1979 the Society purchased the site of The building redevelopment, which will Sir Richard Arkwright’s Cromford Mill, the cost £4.5million, had an ERDF intervention world’s first successful water powered rate of 39 percent and was match funded cotton spinning mill built in 1771. In the by a variety of sources, including HLF; early 1980s the Society began to Derbyshire County Council; the John Paul implement its long term economic plan for Getty Junior Charitable Trust; the Wolfson the site, which for its historical significance Foundation; the Pilgrim Trust; the Sylvia and impact on the Industrial Revolution, Waddilove Trust and individual donors. was listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 2001. The aim of the project is to encourage new business and the creation of new jobs; On the site and in the surrounding increase tourism; and encourage economic Cromford area, the Society runs shops and growth; whilst reclaiming a brownfield site restaurants; organises guided tours; and preserving the history of Cromford Mill. provide conferencing and function rooms; and rents commercial and office space. Due to open in Autumn 2014, in Summer Arkwright Society: Cromford Mill “With any complex grant LASS (Leicestershire AIDS Support Service) application process you learn a lot more about and review 2013 the building was already on track to your project to make sure it meet its targets, including a 20 percent works. We now know our target occupancy rate on opening, with 25 percent of the spaces agreed to let and a project extremely well.” further 25 percent under consideration. Sarah McLeod, Chief Sarah McLeod, Chief Executive of the Executive, Arkwright Society Arkwright Society, has provide, for any The long term goal of the Society is to VCS organisations interested in applying redevelop the whole of the Cromford Mill for ERDF funding, some top tips including site, which will cost approximately to: £48million. The Society is looking to apply to the next ERDF programme and HLF to Keep all your information up to date; partly fund this. Be aware of the added risks if you need to buy in capacity building services; and For further information on the Arkwright Bear in mind the time limits of match Society visit www.arkwrightsociety.org.uk . funding sources. .