Whitchurch Silk Mill secures £210,000 grant for urgent works

Whitchurch Silk Mill, the oldest working silk mill in the country, has been awarded £210,045 through the Museum Estate and Development Fund (MEND) as part of the Government’s new Arts Everywhere Fund.

The grant will fund essential conservation works, including repairs to the wheelhouse and rainwater goods of its Grade II* listed Regency building, which is more than 210 years old.

Whitchurch Silk Mill has received a £210,000 grant for urgent conservation work. (Image: Kirsty Bowen Photography)

These urgent works will help protect the rare historic structures and keep the site safe, accessible and weatherproof for visitors, volunteers and the local community.

Dan Feeny, chair of Whitchurch Silk Mill Trust, said: "This funding is a vital intervention for our historic building.

"It allows us to address urgent repairs while continuing to share the story of silk weaving with our community and visitors from across the globe.

"We are extremely grateful for this support, which helps safeguard the mill for future generations."

Whitchurch Silk Mill is one of 14 cultural venues in the South East to benefit from a share of a £12.6m funding package.

In total, 130 organisations across the country will receive support in the first round of awards from the Arts Everywhere Fund, which aims to support cultural buildings at risk and ensure they remain welcoming, affordable places for local communities.

Earlier this year, the Government committed up to £1.5bn for the cultural sector, with the Arts Everywhere Fund expected to support more than 1,000 arts venues, museums, libraries and heritage buildings across England.