Shrewsbury Flaxmill opens to public

The site is now open permanently to visitors for the first time

A Grade I listed mill has opened to the public as a visitor centre thanks to a £2.3m project.

The centre, at Shrewsbury Flaxmill, looks at the site's history and its engineering, architectural and social legacy.

Built in 1797 the mill is thought to be the first iron-framed building of its kind and is considered a forerunner to the skyscraper.

Historic England bought the derelict buildings in 2005.

It has supported the visitor centre scheme along with the European Regional Development Fund.

The new centre includes oral history recollections of people who worked there

The site is now open permanently to visitors for the first time.

It includes details about how flax was processed, the mill's machinery and technology, working conditions and the change of use to Maltings and the malting process.

The 1797 mill was the first iron-framed building of its kind

The 1797 mill was considered a forerunner to the skyscraper

The visitor centre will be managed by the Friends of the Flaxmill Maltings, a community trust formed to stimulate interest in the site and provide heritage activities.

Visitors will be able to listen to oral recollections of people who worked there and guided tours of the buildings will be provided.

The site comprises seven listed buildings, four of which are Grade I

(L to R) Duncan Wilson CEO Historic England, Mayor of Shrewsbury Miles Kenny, Alan Mosley, chair of The Friends of the Flaxmill Maltings and Mayoress of Shrewsbury Aurona Kenny officially opened the centre

Alan Mosley, Chair, Friends of the Flaxmill Maltings, said the visitor centre was "testament to the hard work of many volunteers and the enthusiasm of the local and wider community for this exciting project".