Cromford Mills has been at the heart of innovation for more than 250 years. Now, through our “Celebrating Heritage, Creating a Sustainable Future” project, we are taking the next step in its regeneration – bringing historic buildings back into sustainable use and creating new opportunities for our communities.
Supported by £1.369 million from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, alongside funding from The Architectural Heritage Fund, The Pilgrim Trust, The Swire Foundation, private donations and in-kind support, including The University of Derby, Terrameasurement, James Edgar Consultant; this phase will create a plan to bring some of the site’s most significant buildings back into sustainable use.
The regeneration of Buildings 1, 7 and 8–10, all Grade I listed and with Buildings 1 & 7 on the National Heritage at Risk Register, will create a stronger, more sustainable visitor destination through:
- Improved visitor welcome and interpretation; we will be creating additional opportunities for our communities and schools, with new learning and community spaces and a programme of events and activities for our local communities.
- An enhanced restaurant and catering offer; sustainable commercial activity and income generation
- Greater financial resilience for the Arkwright Society; investment supporting the wider conservation of Cromford Mills and the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site.
Alongside the capital works, the Activity Plan places skills and learning at its heart, creating opportunities for work placements, practical heritage skills, career pathways and partnerships with schools, universities and industry. This will help address skills gaps while providing experience across heritage, conservation, hospitality, events and the wider visitor economy.
The project is about more than restoring historic buildings – it is about revitalising and repurposing, creating skills and opportunities for our communities, and securing the long-term conservation and economic sustainability of Cromford Mills.
UNLOCKING REGIONAL GROWTH
The project will strengthen Cromford Mills as a major heritage and visitor destination in the East Midlands and as the northern gateway to the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site.
Cromford Mills currently welcomes around 180,000 plus visitors each year, supports 39 tenant businesses and around 100 tenant employees, and employs around 50 people directly.
Together we generate an estimated £7.4 million in economic activity through visitor spend and its contribution to the local economy.
This project will build on that success, strengthening Cromford Mills’ role in the region and creating a more sustainable future for the site and its communities.
PROGRESS UPDATE – SEPTEMBER 2026
The project began in late 2025. Since then, we have brought together a specialist consultancy team to work with our staff and trustees on the capital proposals and Activity Plan.
What we are working on
Developing the plans
We are progressing our RIBA Stage 2 designs and are engaging in pre application discussions with Derbyshire Dales District Council and statutory consultees – Derbyshire County Council’s Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site team, the Georgian Group and Historic England.
This is an iterative process, helping us understand the site’s significance and develop proposals that respond sensitively to its historic buildings and wider setting.
Understanding the site
A Statement of Significance has been produced, alongside a Constraints and Parameters document. These help guide the project by identifying the site’s heritage significance and potential challenges, including flooding, structural condition, ecology, drainage and heritage sensitivities.
Surveys are also underway to understand the condition of the buildings, land, and inform the next stages of design.
Planning for delivery
Key milestones ahead include:
- Developing the capital proposals and Activity Plan – please see the project boundary which includes proposed improvements to the car park.
- Securing listed building consent and planning permission.
- Securing approximately up to £2 million in match funding.
- Preparing a Delivery Phase application to The National Lottery Heritage Fund, which we hope to submit in late 2027.
Get involved
We are beginning to share our vision and invite people to be part of the conversation.
Our first stakeholder event took place on Friday 18 September, celebrating Cromford Mills’ international significance and the 250th anniversary of the Second Mill, while introducing our next major regeneration phase.
Heritage Skills Day – Saturday 19th September
As part of our development phase of a National Lottery Heritage Fund project, we showcased the traditional heritage building skills to raise awareness of caring for heritage buildings.
We had demonstrations from Stonemasons where visitors could have a go at stone carving and lime pointing, a traditional Georgian Blacksmith, and Joiners highlighting the craft of window puttying, alongside local and national organisations such as the Dry Stone Walling Association, the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings, Derbyshire Eco Centre and Terra Measurement talking about their work.
What’s next?
We will continue to develop the plans and engage with stakeholders, heritage organisations and the local community.
A formal public consultation will take place as the proposals progress, giving everyone the opportunity to view the designs and make comments. Further details will be provided.
There is still much to do, but this project marks an important step towards a sustainable future for Cromford Mills.
By bringing historic buildings back into use, creating opportunities for our communities and developing new skills, we can help ensure Cromford Mills continues to inspire and welcome visitors for generations to come.
Together, we can celebrate our heritage and build the future.
Our Project team
Client Project Manager: Creative Heritage Consultants Ltd
Lead Consultant: Mosedale Gillatt Architects with Design team including
- Landscape architects Colour
- Mechanical & Electrical Sine
- Structural Engineers Narro
- Access Jane Simpson Access
- Planning DPP
- Archaeology AB Heritage
Quantity Surveyor: Appleyard and Trew
Business Planning: CounterCulture LLP
Catering Consultants: Globella
Activity Planners: DBA Consulting
Evaluation: Durnin Research
Heritage Consultant: James Edgar
Fundraising: 117 Consulting with Hilary Machell and Joanne Williams
Interpretation: Simon Leach and Headland Design