Whitchurch Silk Mill has received £210,045 in funding to carry out urgent conservation works to its historic building, helping to secure the future of the oldest working silk mill in the country.
The grant has been awarded through the Museum Estate and Development Fund (MEND), part of the government’s new Arts Everywhere Fund, which is supporting cultural venues across England. Whitchurch Silk Mill is one of fourteen cultural venues, museums and libraries across the South East to benefit from a £12.6 million funding package announced this month.
The funding will support essential repairs to the wheelhouse and rainwater goods of the Mill’s Grade II* listed Regency building, which dates back more than 210 years. These works will address urgent maintenance issues, protecting rare historic structures and ensuring the building remains safe, weatherproof, and accessible to visitors, volunteers, and the local community.
The Mill is a much‑loved local landmark and a nationally significant heritage site, telling the story of silk weaving in Whitchurch and Hampshire. The conservation works will help preserve this unique industrial legacy and support the Mill’s continued role as a working museum, education centre and community space.
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.”
Across the country, 130 organisations are receiving funding in this first round of awards from the Arts Everywhere Fund. The investment aims to support cultural buildings at risk and ensure they remain welcoming, affordable places for local communities, particularly during challenging economic times.
Earlier this year, the Government committed up to £1.5 billion to the cultural sector, with the Arts Everywhere Fund expected to support more than 1,000 arts venues, museums, libraries and heritage buildings across England.