For the opening of the Cromford Creative managed workspace scheme, held at Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage site, circa 150 dignitaries and their extras attended to both inspect and celebrate the work undertaken on the scheme, effectively bringing the historic, Grade I building back into use for the public. The event effectively also signalled the official opening of a brand new gateway to the heritage site, with a new state of the art gateway information hub located on the building’s ground floor.

Serving as the completion of a £6.7m project, guests were able to look over the incredible work done on the venue to restore it into a condition whereby it can then add value back to the community and find effective use. The project itself, however, was only possible through funds raised by the Arkwright Society, one of Cromford’s leading charities for the restoration of historic structures and their reuse.

As of present, the structure now incorporates approximately 8,000 square feet of managed workspace in the upper floors of the formerly known as, “Building 17”. The space is then split into 17 different individual workspaces, varying in size and available in single or multi-let packages, or even as a whole floor should potential occupiers truly see the value of the venue.

Of course, beyond the bare bricks and mortar, the venue also offers a great deal of connectivity into other associated facilities at the mills, which includes an offering of conferencing and meeting rooms, a café and even a restaurant.

“Building 17 is one of the most important heritage assets on the whole of the Cromford Mills site and we are delighted that it has been restored to its former glory,” explained Sarah McLeod, the Arkwright Society’s Chief executive. And, as such, the completion of the building’s regeneration is seen as a great step forward in enabling a useful, sustainable future for the entire site at Cromford Mills.