Jeremy Hall

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It was a 30-year project, in order to regenerate Halifax Dean Clough Mill

lines regulated work areas under the beams, and a thrum of machinery, as over 1,250 workers go about their business in Halifax mill. But this is not sooty Victorian England, But the offices of a modern insurance company with two million customers.

In the 1840s, Crossley's carpets are built, to the enormous 22-acre (9ha) Dean Clough Mill site, to spin and to weave his yarn. In its heyday it was one of the largest carpet manufacturers in The World .

During the decline of the industry was firm and final, there is life in the Old Mill yet. "It's about re-use of elements, step for step," says Chairman Jeremy Hall .

He and his father spent 30 years, a lot of cash and taken a leap of faith with the mammoth site. You ' ve reduced The Mill building, over a million square feet to over 600,000, while you are Waiting Patiently to get The Right tenant to fill the forward Space . It worked: today it is revived.

Dean Clough then and now: as a mill and as a modern Office Space

is one of the nearly 2,000 textile mills dotted about Towns and villages in the Pennines. But the research by the Historical England shows far more than a quarter of them are unused, and, unless steps are taken to protect them, the lost a significant part of the country, the heritage for always.

"they say, All over the North West and West Yorkshire ; it is The Building , it is the horizons we All know," says the Historic England regional director, Catherine Dewar.

Many of the 572 empty mills are often in The Heart of the cities and well connected to public transport. They hold the potential for up to 120,000 homes, or Small offices, with no bumps in the green belt, in a region that recently, the big promises, the new Conservative government.

But it's not All about the possible economic prosperity.

"to tell you the history of the area," says Catherine; from the neat lines of The Mill -workers ' houses, still loved and lived to The Grand old bank buildings in town centres such as Oldham or Rochdale, once the revenue from these companies.

"It is important to our heritage, and everyone will benefit from it," she says.

try the Other one, But almost 50 Miles Away , in the case of page field Mill in Wigan, regeneration feels far. Even with 1,300 employees span cotton here now only pigeons circle of masonry.

page field Mill in Wigan in its heyday. . and the disused mill, The beautifully decorated chimneys loom over the fountain and pavilion in Mesnes Park of the West Coast mainline rushes by now,

. The University upped and left, over a decade ago and.

"part of The Challenge is a use that is cost-effective," says Marie Bintley, Wigan council's assistant housing Director. "This is not, of course, The South -East, where we have high land prices. "

The Site is listed and privately owned, But The Council remains determined: "It is part of the fabric of The Place , we want to celebrate the community that this building," adds Ms Bintley.

years of neglect take their toll have taken: Many Windows are broken or missing parts of the roof caved in and the rain falls, seeps from floor to floor.

The Council knows that his time for the rescue of The Building before the demolition is almost: "We are in danger of coming to a point where that is just too difficult," says Ms Bintley.

the developers are ready to accept the challenges, But they are not the run of The Mill .

Manchester Crusader mill has been transformed. . and in 123 flats

Adam Higgins, co-founder of developer capital and Centric; and Crusader mill in The Heart of Manchester , one of a clutch of older buildings that has taken over his company.

The reason is simple: "Well, it is easier to build something from the ground up. But it is quite difficult to soul in a new block of apartments, But you can make it smiles into a building like this," he said.

It's taken five years, from purchasing The Site for the almost completion of 123 apartments, regularly to dig up and unexpected damage. Only to have the whole project more difficult for yourself, Adam insists that no building is sold to a foreign investor: everyone will keep inhabited by its owner, that the Church housed The Mill once.

The risk is Worth It , if you are within earshot of Manchester Piccadilly station. Street cars hoot as they pass under the open window, frames and the trendy bars of The City in the Northern said Quarter are But steps away.

Adam knows that the values drop off quickly to the property, as you move from the center, But he is also an optimist. "This place was not viable 15 years ago. It will not reach last as long as the North grows, for these economic benefits to smaller cities. "

But it is time that is important to save these historic sites: "I think [the] public sector needs to get involved, without it is to some of The Buildings will only get worse and worse. "

The Mills are really Worth It ? Back in Halifax, you think so.

"It's about re-use of elements, step for step," says Jeremy Hall in Halifax

Dean Clough, in the renaissance style of a slow burner, But now it is home to 150 companies, increased large and Small -from multi - national companies cozy cafes -

Covea Insurance on two mill buildings on The Site in 2016, Director Carol Geldard, grants to see the company, other office options - Many of them cheaper - But says it was not a simple business decision: "We looked to create an opportunity, a Space that is great for our employees, But also part of a community, Something Special , bringing a building back to life. "

Next Door , local lad Philip Crowther used to play among the ruins of the Old Mill site, if his gran worked here.

When it comes to picking out a house for himself and his flower shop, his heart and head led him here: "There was a time when you could get down to Dean Clough and a job immediately. It's great, now you're first company, local and international, brings new enterprise. "

All agree that The Mills " - the story is not over yet. And there is a lot more Space , when other Energy - and money.

wigan, social history, manchester, halifax

Source of news: bbc.com