Mill centre attracting the crowds (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Skipton corn mill attracting visitors

9:33am Tuesday 2nd November 2010 in Business

A visitor centre in an historic corn mill in Skipton has proved a major success since it opened in August.

High Corn Mill’s Historical Innovation Zone has seen a constant stream of visitors since the official opening by the Mayor of Skipton and actress Hannah Hobley from the hit TV sitcom Benidorm.

Located within the heart of the mill, the zone enables visitors to see the specially commissioned £35,000 water turbine and how it helps to generate part of the town’s electricity supply through the National Grid – supplying enough power for up to 20 homes.

Mill owner Andrew Mear said: “The turbine was a culmination of a £200,000 environmental initiative to ensure the mill retained its medieval roots and extended the car park for visitors.

“We’ve had a non-stop stream of visitors since the opening in August.”

From specially-created viewing areas visitors can see some of the original machinery used to process the corn and a second waterwheel which can be turned by pulling a lever that releases water from the mill’s pond.

“The opening of the Historical Innovation Zone has helped Skipton celebrate another important date in the town’s history and I hope visitors to the mill will continue to enjoy what it has to offer,” said Andrew.

The mill, situated off Skipton’s high street and once part of the town’s Castle property, now houses a selection of retail, beauty, food and business tenants.