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JOINT STATEMENT FROM WARWICK BRIDGE CORN MILL & CULTURA TRUST.
On 28 March 2025, Cultura Trust handed over the keys and freehold of an historic
watermill to Warwick Bridge Corn Mill Limited (WBCML), which has operated the mill as
a tenant since 2020. This will allow WBCML to begin trading again immediately.
Cultura Trust, formerly North of England Civic Trust, acquired the mill in 2015 and raised
nearly £2m to purchase and restore the grade II* listed mill back to full operation, thanks
to £1.4m from the The National Lottery Heritage Fund, £187,000 from Historic England,
and other grants from Cumbria County Council and a range of charitable trusts and
donors. A grant from the Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF) in 1999/2000 had helped
establish that a working mill and bakery was a viable proposition, powered by its revived
historic water supply. AHF and the Plunkett Foundation provided grants and advice to
establish if a Community Benefit Society could be set up to run the mill. Supported by
nearly 250 not-for-profit shareholder investors and the Co-Operatives UK Community
Share Scheme, fit-out of the bakery ready for operation was achieved. WBCML was born.
Building up the operation of stoneground flour and artisan crafted baked products from
a start during the Covid pandemic has not been easy for WBCML or Cultura. The transfer
of the freehold gives WBCML full control over its premises and business; it frees up
Cultura to move on to other projects.
Deborah Jenkins, Chair of Cultura, explained that ‘this arrangement is a logical step for a
community and its asset. It does mean that Cultura must write off a substantial debt, but
our charitable role, in this our 60th anniversary year, is to enable projects and support
communities.’
Fiona Brew, Co-Chair of WBCML, welcomed the opportunity that ownership of the mill
brings: ‘Warwick Bridge Corn Mill Limited is excited to be able to trade again and return
to supplying our markets, wholesale customers and community. We would like to thank
everyone for their support and words of encouragement over the last two months and look forward to seeing you again.’
The transfer has received invaluable support from local MP, Julie Minns: ‘starting a new
local venture during Covid was a tough call. But this unique project has persevered and
deserves our support – and custom – as it moves into a new phase.’
ENDS
NOTES FOR EDITORS
Cultura Trust:
Contact: Graham Bell, Director
graham.bell@culturatrust.org
07815 874423
Warwick Bridge Corn Mill Limited https://www.warwickbridgecornmill.co.uk/about-us/
Contact: Fiona Brew, Co-Chair
fionabrew7@gmail.com
07551 463449
Julie Minns, MP
Contact: Tara Sinclair
julie.minns.mp@parliament.uk
tara.sinclair@parliament.uk 020 7219 3000; 0735 6022914
Warwick Bridge Corn Mill, Little Corby Road, Warwick Bridge, CA4 8RE
(Please note, this is not, and has no connection with, Warwick Mill Business Village.)
