The Arkwright Society is delighted to announce that Cromford Mills has secured £1.3 million in vital development funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
This major investment marks the beginning of Cromford Mills: Celebrating Heritage, Creating a Sustainable Future a once-in-a-generation project to restore and reimagine some of the UK’s most significant Grade I listed 18th-century buildings. Work will focus on the transformation of the landmark 4-storey Mill, Building 1, which greets you as you walk through the main entrance to the site.
Thanks to National Lottery players, this support will fund the essential planning, consultation, and design work phase, laying the groundwork for the full restoration and sustainable reuse of these historic spaces. As part of the internationally significant Derwent Valley Mills UNESCO World Heritage Site, this milestone takes Cromford Mills a major step closer to being removed from Historic England’s National Heritage at Risk Register and securing its future as a vibrant heritage destination and thriving community space.
Reviving the Past, Inspiring the Future
At the heart of this vision is a new, forward-looking skills and enterprise programme, to be developed in partnership with The University of Derby, local organisations and colleges. This will focus on practical training and work placements in areas such as heritage construction, renewable energy, design, hospitality and tourism – equipping people of all ages with skills for the future. Taster sessions will begin over the next two years.
Plans include creating inspiring new amenities including a restaurant beside the iconic waterwheel, an engaging visitor welcome hub, flexible event and function spaces. Interpreting new ways to tell the fascinating stories of the mills that celebrates the site’s global industrial legacy – while connecting to today’s climate and sustainability challenges.
Cromford Mills: A Place for Everyone
Éilis Scott, Chief Executive of the Arkwright Society, said:
“We’re incredibly grateful to The National Lottery Heritage Fund and to all who support this project. This includes match funding from organisations and individuals including, The Pilgrim Trust and The Architectural Heritage Fund. Cromford Mills changed the world once, and we believe it can do so again – as a beacon of heritage, innovation and inclusion, rooted in our local communities. This funding brings us significantly closer to securing a sustainable future for this remarkable place. Restoring our vacant historic industrial buildings is about unlocking new opportunities, sparking innovation, and using the stories of creativity and enterprise to inspire.”
“Cromford Mills is for everyone, whether you work here, volunteer or visit. But keeping the mill gates open isn’t easy. Continued support is vital to conserve these buildings and ensure they remain open, welcoming and full of life – relevant for today and for generations to come.”
Liz Bates, Director, England, Midlands & East at The National Heritage Lottery Fund, said:
“We are pleased to support Cromford Mills with this initial grant of £1.3million, as we celebrate awarding a total of £2bn of National Lottery and other funding to projects across the Midlands & East of England. This internationally significant industrial heritage site has big ambitions for saving heritage at risk from deterioration and transforming how visitors experience and learn about the heritage of this remarkable place. Crucially, the long-range goals of this work will help put Cromford Mills on a solid footing for the future. We wish this project well as work gets underway.”
Get Involved
The Arkwright Society will host events, consultation sessions and open days throughout the development phase. We want people to get involved and help shape these exciting proposals and be part of history. We will share more information as the project gets underway.
About The National Lottery Heritage Fund
Grant applications over £250,000 are assessed in two rounds. Cromford Mills – Celebrating Heritage, creating a sustainable future has initially been granted round one development funding of £1,369,418 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, allowing it to progress with its plans. Detailed proposals are then considered by the Heritage Fund at second round, where a final decision is made on the full funding award to undertake the project.
The National Lottery Heritage Fund’s vision is for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future. That’s why as the largest funder for the UK’s heritage they are dedicated to supporting projects that connect people and communities to heritage, as set out in their strategic plan, Heritage 2033. Heritage can be anything from the past that people value and want to pass on to future generations.
See link below for more information.
About The Pilgrim Trust
The Pilgrim Trust is an independent charitable trust. Each year, they give around £3 million in grants to charities and other public bodies that focus on preserving the UK’s heritage or on bringing about social change. They also fund activities such as research and advocacy that catalyse wider, structural changes. Their aims are to improve the life chances of the most vulnerable and preserve the best of our past for the public to enjoy.
About The Architectural Heritage Fund
The Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF) is a registered charity, working since 1976 to promote the conservation and sustainable re-use of historic buildings for the benefit of communities across the UK, particularly in economically disadvantaged areas.
The AHF exists to help communities find enterprising ways to revitalise the old buildings they love. They help them with advice, grants and loans. Their support acts as a catalyst for putting sustainable heritage at the heart of vibrant local economies. For over 40 years, they’ve been the leading social investor in creating new futures for historic buildings.