Middleton mill to become a £50m global trade hub

How the redevelopment of Warwick Mill will look inside

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The £50million redevelopment of Warwick Mill is set to get under way after permission was granted for G-Suite Holdings', a Hong Kong based property development company, biggest investment project in Europe.

The scheme to transform the five-storey 200,000 sq ft mill in Middleton into a global trade hub with restaurants and cafes could start as early as January 2016.

The plans will see developers convert the red brick mill, built in 1907, into a facility where Chinese companies, as well as those from emerging markets in Asia, can exhibit and sell their goods in the UK and European markets. The development will be known as Red Warwick and will also be open to the public.

Red Warwick is also expected to benefit home grown businesses, with G-Suite keen to use the development to help local companies exploit emerging markets in Asia.

The plans also include the demolition of the 1960s office building, London House, which adjoins the site. The developers are hoping to flatten the building in January to create a car park for Red Warwick.

G-Suite is expecting the whole scheme to be operational by early 2017.

At a recent launch in Bejing 19 companies, including a big name global brand, expressed firm interest in signing up to the development.

G-Suite director Robert Wong said: “Red Warwick will be home to an international trading hub that will develop the two-way relationship between Asia and the UK’s Northern Powerhouse.

"Our unique trading model will bring the very best of Chinese and Eastern manufacturing to the independent retail and wholesale market.

"We look forward to working with Rochdale Borough Council to develop Red Warwick, our third project in the North West.”

Councillor Richard Farnell, Leader of Rochdale Borough Council, said: “Securing a £50m investment for this important site really confirms the growing confidence investors have in our borough. The council has worked extremely hard to get to this stage and I am grateful for the faith that G-Suite is showing in us.

“This is a game changer for Middleton and the wider borough because as well as restoring a historic landmark building and creating jobs for our local residents, it will bring companies from around the globe to Greater Manchester. It’s clear that the potential benefits of this scheme are far reaching.”