Fundraiser for Lodge Mill engine house

A fundraiser has been launched by the owners of Lodge Mill, Middleton, after the engine house of the former cotton and silk mill was damaged in a fire last month.

Three floors of the mill were alight when the fire service arrived at the scene on 30 December, and the mill’s adjoining engine house, which has been used for a number of community events, suffered smoke and water damage.
 

Read more: Huge fire at mill in MiddletonPublished: 31 December 2021

 

Located on Townley Street, Lodge Mill was built in the mid-1800s and was originally a silk weaving mill. It went on to cotton weaving and cloth dying, then to a home for many different small local businesses. Sadly, in the early 2000s, it fell into disrepair and became derelict.

Lodge Mill was bought in 2019 by local couple Martin Cove and Paula Hickey, before opening a small ice cream shop on the ground floor.

 

Read more: Middleton couple save historic Middleton millPublished: 18 December 2021

 

Martin says the engine house suffered smoke and water damage.

He said: “Sadly, the Engine House has been damaged further during the demolition of the rear mill meaning part of the building will take a little more work to reinstate.

“We are hoping that with help through GoFundMe, we can meet the ground floor flooring costs and the rest of the damage will be covered by other means.

 

 

“We are hoping to raise some money to replace the laminate flooring from the ground floor of the Engine House which has been totally destroyed but hope to salvage other items (furniture and decorations) with the aid of all the wonderful people who have volunteered to help with the clean up once the building is deemed safe enough to enter.

“Our beloved Lodge Mill has hosted some amazing community events and is a small place of magic and hope in our community.

“If you can help contribute no matter how small it would be greatly appreciated and will help to get this lovely space up and running for more, much-needed community events.”

Donations can be made via GoFundMe.