'Made in Castleford': Students give mill a makeover

The team of Interior Architecture & Design and Landscape Architecture & Design students and staff has been working with Castleford Heritage Trust (CHT) for the last year, developing proposals for the iconic riverside building.

The results of the work will be the focal point of an open day at the Aire Street Mill on Saturday 6 July and will remain on display for public consultation until the end of the month.

To research the project, students dressed up as bakers and farmers and hit the streets of Castleford to find out how 100 local people would like the mill to be used in the future. The results were used to create design ideas for the mill building itself, its external environment and how it will complement the wider regeneration of the town.

Emma Oldroyd, Senior Lecturer in Landscape Architecture at Leeds Met, said: "The students have put their heart and soul into this project. The experience is invaluable in preparing them for the world of work and is impressive for employers. This is a fantastic project to be involved in for both staff and students alike and demonstrates the value that universities can add to community projects."

Castleford Heritage Trust Chairwoman Alison Drake commented: "The potential of the mill is enormous and the students have come up with some fantastic ideas to make the most of it.

"We want Queen's Mill to be a showcase not only for the best of Castleford's history and traditions but also to play a big part in the town's future as a place for people to learn, develop their talents and even earn their living: to be able to say 'Made in Castleford' once again. The consultation we are now carrying out will help shape our vision for the mill and move the project forward."

All the consultation work carried out for Castleford Heritage Trust by Leeds Met has been sponsored by the Leeds Sustainability Institute.

Saturday's open day runs from 10am to 3pm and will include mill tours (booking available on 01977 556741, or on the day), displays and stalls, as well as an interactive exhibition of the students' work. The proposals are also on display at the Castleford Heritage Trust office, alongside the main mill building, each weekday in July, from 10.30am to 2.30pm.