ONE OF Blackburn's largest former corn mills, which now functions as a business centre, is set to be auctioned off.

Daisyfield Business Centre, formerly Daisyfield Mill, currently hosts tenants including the Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust and will be auctioned with a guide price range of £1.75 million to £2 million.

This will be carried out next month by property auction specialists Acuitus.

Investment director John Mehtab said: “Daisyfield has enjoyed longevity as one of Blackburn’s landmark buildings, and it’s from an overall site coverage of 22 per cent and may be suitable for further development on the car park, subject to consents.”

Daisyfield Mill is the largest surviving corn mill in Blackburn, having been built in 1871 by Joseph Appleby and Sons.

The introduction of roller milling in the 1880s led to the closure of the smaller mills using grinding stones.

Daisyfiled however, continued working until the middle of the 20th century, having been taken over by taken over by Joseph Rank Ltd in 1928.

The business declined however, when transport and economic factors led to the end of large-scale milling in Blackburn, and eventually closed in 1968.

It was subsequently used as warehouse before being converted to offices around 1990 as part of a scheme to regenerate derelict canalside sites.

The site comprises the 5-storey mill building as well as office accommodation, a modern warehouse building and two ancillary outbuildings.

According to Acuitus, it produces annual rental income of £278,897 with 8,948 square feet of vacant offices to be let.

The auction will take place on 5th May and will be broadcast online.

Interested buyers can submit bids by telephone, online or by submit a bid by proxy.

To find out more, go to: Acuitus.co.uk.