Vision | Forge Mill

The Forge Mill

A Live-Work Creative Hub

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Coffee House | Designer - Makers | Creative Hub

The Forge Mill has been used for innovative and creative local industry for over 400 years, with an iron refinery and forge operating from 1615, before the mill was converted for cotton-spinning in the late 1700's. Over the centuries, Forge Mill has fulfilled numerous functions and undergone many changes; a rebuild, partial demolitions and multiple developments to repurpose the building. From the fashioning of metal to the spinning of cotton, the grinding of bones to the milling of corn, the site has a rich heritage of bringing skilled work, productivity and ingenuity to the local area. In a similar vein, our intention is to reclaim this heritage and once again see Forge Mill bring further opportunity and flourishing to the local area, particularly through creativity and hospitality.

To this end, we would love to see local and small-scale industry return to the site in a gentle and understated way, where local and established makers can establish themselves and their work be celebrated, whilst also facilitating numerous community-focused activities. These might include events such as one-off pottery parties, ongoing classes or textile workshops, where people can learn a variety of skills, including spinning, weaving, arts and crafts and many other creative skills. This will allow the creative heritage of the building to be reclaimed and placed back at the heart of the community. Local artisans who are keen to be involved include ceramicist and teacher Andrew Topliss and print designer Jeni Spreadborough of Penelope and the Ducks.

As a creative community we are striving to ensure our plans for Forge Mill will benefit both local people and Nottingham as a whole, particularly by maintaining its accessibility through the cafe (to be called Forge Mill Coffee House), preserving its quirkiness and charm, which we know has been loved by many, from regular passers-by to visitors who travel out of their way to enjoy high-quality food and refreshment. Our plans for the coffee house include a new area of decking and outdoor seating on the North side of the mill, overlooking the millpond and featuring a bridge over the mill race. This invitation through hospitality allows the site to be experienced as an extension of the country park, taking what is derelict and creatively turning the space into a destination.

In addition to the Coffee House and creative spaces, we would also like to establish a peaceful and caring private household, living at the Forge Mill, primarily on the first and second floors, some members of which will be running creative enterprises on site, such as www.bryoninteriors.co.uk and www.philipbryondesign.co.uk, as well as running the Coffee House. Phil Bryon will be the leaseholder for the residence, with a number of friends joining him.

Phil and a number of friends have realised that they all live alone in their own homes, which creates a potentially lonely existence. Living side by side and sharing the responsibilities and challenges of life together is therefore the way forward in our fragmented culture, with many people leading solitary lives, from divorced professionals through to the widow or widower. Our aim, therefore, is to foster a tangibly hospitable and homely environment throughout the proposed development - whether in the private household, the Coffee House or the creative enterprises.

In summary, we believe returning craftsmanship and creativity to Forge Mill will both honour and recapture the heritage of such an historically significant site, and in a way that will bring enjoyment and opportunity to Bestwood village and the wider Nottingham area, with the added assurance that those living on site will intrinsically be committed custodians of this vision.