HRH THE PRINCE OF WALES
Houldsworth Mill, Reddish, Stockport
Pictures by Mike Frisbee

HRH The Prince of Wales makes his second visit to Houldsworth Mill in Reddish, Stockport, on Friday October 24th.

The Grade 2* Listed Victorian building has been transformed to provide 70 award-winning shared ownership housing association flats, more than 300 jobs, facilities for leisure and education activities, and Stockport Council services. In 1997 The Prince of Wales visited the then declining building to launch a £13 million regeneration project.

This was initiated by his ‘Regeneration Through Heritage’ programme at The Prince’s Foundation for the Built Environment, which he established to help local communities regenerate redundant heritage buildings for modern economic and social uses. Houldsworth Mill, which opened in 1865, is one of the most important industrial buildings in the UK. The Prince of Wales will see how the mill has been completely transformed from being part of a 19th century model village to the centrepiece of a 21st century model community. A partnership between the owners, the Heaton & Houldsworth Property Company,

Stockport Council and Northern Counties Housing Association, helped to fund the work. The main partners obtained further funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), RETEX European Fund, English Partnership, Housing Corporation and various grants. Ridge Danyers College obtained ERDF and European Social Funding. Councillor Mark Hunter, Leader of Stockport Council, said: “The Council and its partners are delighted to welcome The Prince of Wales to Houldsworth Mill.

The major redevelopment of the building has brought new life, jobs, homes and leisure facilities to the local community and beyond. The future of the mill, which has significant historical and architectural value, is now secure. We are very proud of the transformation of the building which provides one of the very best examples in the UK of the imaginative uses of a large former cotton mill.” Fred Taggart, Director of Regeneration Through Heritage, said: “This is a trail-blazing example of how to save a lovely mill that many thought had no modern use. It is a national example of what can be achieved by partnerships of local people working together that will be copied by communities across the country. Stockport Council is to be congratulated for taking the lead in making this inspirational vision a reality.” The Prince of Wales will tour the mill. The facilities include: ·1 Stockport Council’s new Customer Contact Centre.

The centre will be a direct point of contact for the borough’s 290,000 residents on a range of services. Staff offer information and advice over the telephone, whilst traditional personal appointments and ‘over the counter’ services will continue giving the public a wider choice. The Centre is a major part of the Council’s ‘Excellent Services Through New Ways of Working’ initiative. Also located there is the NHS Direct contact centre operated by Stockport Primary Care Trust; ·2 The Council-run ‘managed workspace’ which has technology-based office and creative industry themes. It is home to 50 businesses and 175 employees. Tenants include a website constructor, piano tuner, jeweller, graphic designers, and a railway safety and signalling consultant One of the flats built by Northern Counties Housing Association. Around three-quarters of residents moving into the flats came from Stockport.

The flats open out onto an airy central atrium. The Prince of Wales will present a Civic Trust Award plaque to the architect and Northern Counties Housing Association;

The Ridge Danyers College operated UK-Online and learndirect centre, providing new opportunities to learn within a historic environment, the centre - accessible to everyone - includes a conference room, seminar and meeting rooms, and ICT facilities;
Kingfisher Health Club which boasts a state of the art gym, fitness suites with cardiovascular and aerobic facilities, together with steam, sauna and spa facilities, and swimming pool; 'Whale-Around’ indoor children’s play area for youngsters and their parents/guardians/childminders.

Before leaving The Prince of Wales will unveil a plaque showing that the mill is a project supported by his ‘Regeneration Through Heritage’ initiative.

Councillor Dave Goddard, Executive Member for Regeneration, commented: “I am especially pleased to be involved in the visit. I was one of the councillors who met The Prince of Wales at the mill in 1997, and we can now both see the transformation of the building. A key aspect of the regeneration was to create a new economic purpose for the mill. The Council has provided 40,000 sq.ft. of managed workspace, providing a high quality environment for scores of new or growing businesses. The workspace has exceeded all expectations, and several businesses have been so successful they have moved on to larger premises.”

Councillor John Pantall, Executive Member for Performance Management, said: “The Customer Contact Centre will revolutionise the way the Council is delivering its services. It provides the public with increased choice for contacting services speedily and effectively. We aim to resolve 80% of requests through a single call.”

Ken Irving, Chief Executive of Northern Counties Housing Association, added: “We’re delighted to have been a key partner in bringing the historic building into 21st century use, not only by providing homes at affordable costs but also by playing our part in making the neighbourhood have a vibrant and sustainable future.”

Andrew Bradburn, a partner at Roger Hannah & Co., Houldsworth Mill’s designated project managers and property agents, commented: “As we have been involved since day one with the creation of the Heaton and Houldsworth Property Company, it is very exciting to see the development receiving the plaudits it fully deserves, and the positive effect it has had on the entire area. Commercially it has been a huge success with over 80% of available space occupied - a full 320,000 sq.ft. Of the remaining 80,000 sq.ft. there are three pre-lets with solicitors and this space will be occupied as soon as refurbishment is completed.”