English Heritage to run Flaxmill visitor attraction

Historic England restored the once derelict Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings with the help of Shropshire Council

English Heritage will take over the running of a visitor attraction in the world's first iron-frame building.

Historic England, which restored the derelict Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings with the help of Shropshire Council, will remain the owner of the building.

It said English Heritage was "uniquely placed to promote visits and share Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings' story with a wider audience".

Historic England confirmed it would continue managing commercial lettings, along with the remaining restoration work and the development of the wider site.

The building originally opened in 1797 as a flaxmill and served a number of other purposes until its closure in 1987.

Its iron-frame construction led it to be named "the grandparent of skyscrapers", because its design paved the way for modern high-rise buildings.

Historic England bought the derelict site in 2005 with the aim of bringing it back into use. In 2022 it opened to the public again with an exhibition and guided tours.

The exhibits include stories from the workers, engineers, soldiers and entrepreneurs who helped to create the Grade I listed landmark.

The flaxmill opened in 1797 and also saw use as a maltings and a barracks

Rebecca Eade, the regional head of English Heritage's Historic Properties, said the building was "a superb example of living, breathing heritage".

She added: "Rather than a relic from a bygone era, it is instead the blueprint for today's buildings and a vibrant part of Shrewsbury's community."