The Gateway Project

An introduction

The mill wheels are no longer turning, and the machines no longer producing their cotton, but the Arkwright Society is bringing history alive again through a Gateway that will link the industrial heritage of the past with a sustainable vision for the future.

Set to become a Gateway to the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site, Cromford Mill hopes to attract 50-100,000 more visitors in the next two years, turning it into a top tourist destination for the region.

Building 17, built by Sir Richard Arkwright, is the largest on site and was originally a cotton warehouse before later being used as a paint factory by the Cromford Colour Works. Considered “at risk” by English Heritage it has, for the last thirty years, lain dormant, being used only for storing materials.

However, using development grants of £200,000, the Gateway project will see the building put back into working use. The ground floor will house a visitor centre guiding people through the fifteen mile long World Heritage Site that runs from Matlock Bath to Derby including the various places of interest along the route. There will be a new auditorium and an exhibition area with film and video presentations as well as a shop.

Committed to sustainability and economic regeneration, the Society has designated the four upper storeys as The Creative Cluster. This will offer serviced office space for new and small businesses, particularly in the media and IT sectors, and the creative industries.

A master planning process is currently looking at developing the other buildings on site, including the unveiling of an international exhibition, which will include the history of Richard Arkwright and the industrial revolution, together with Cromford Mill and village.

Whilst the major building work has yet to commence, changes are already afoot at Cromford Mill: new interpretation boards will be going up around the mill site with information on the history of the buildings, as well as a new Mill Self-Guide, and plans are underway to update existing facilities including the toilets and car parking to accommodate the increase in visitor numbers.

At the heart of these exciting new developments will be an exhibition offering the public an opportunity to see the proposed plans for the Gateway development.

Sarah McLeod, Director, says: “One of the most important things that the new management team believe in is consultation with people. As part of the proposed new development, the Society will be conducting market research, hosting an exhibition to show the architect's plans for the Gateway as well as holding various public events where people can see the plans and share their own views and ideas.”

Further details will be given here as the project progresses.