A VICTORIAN-ERA former cotton mill, owned by Heritage Trust North West, has been turned into new workspace.

The conversion of Nelson’s Lomeshaye Bridge Mill has been completed by Barnfield Construction.

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The old mill was purchased by Heritage Trust North West in 1998, the trust’s first acquisition in the town.

The mill offers managed workspace on the third floor, with the first and second floors used as archiving space with the potential to be used as further workspace. The ground floor will continue to be used as a joinery workshop.

Jonathan Nixon, Barnfield’s project manager on the scheme, said: “We have worked tirelessly to bring this project to completion since we originally priced the scheme by competitive tender in 2012. There were many hurdles to surmount before finally starting the work in July 2014.

“This project is the latest in a long line of heritage conversion projects undertaken by Barnfield and it is a joy to see old buildings of our industrious past being brought back into use.

“The success of the conversion is a credit to all involved. The vast majority of the contractors and tradesmen involved in the scheme were locally-based. We strongly believe in investing locally and the successful nature in which this project was completed is a prime example of the talents Pendle has to offer.”

Initially it was a two-storey steam powered cotton spinning mill built in 1841. In 1899, two further storeys and the adjoining weaving sheds were added.

Neil Watson, planning and building control manager for Pendle Council, said: “It’s taken considerable effort over the last eight years to find a viable use for Lomeshaye Bridge Mill.

“A wide range of public and private organisations have been involved, making this fantastic transformation possible.

“The restoration of the mill has been part of our wider ambitions for the Whitefield area of Nelson.

“With a brand new £9 million school, beautifully-restored heritage housing and newly-built homes, Whitefield is becoming a much sought-after area.”