Oswaldtwistle Mills awarded £178k to save and reopen Historic Mill Heritage Centre

Oswaldtwistle Mills has received a grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to save and reopen its Heritage Centre.

The successful bid was supported by Amazing Accrington and it will preserve the story of Moscow Mill and its weaving community, while securing its future for generations to come.

The Heritage Centre at Oswaldtwistle Mills is a unique collection that tells the story of one of Lancashire’s most significant textile mills and the people who worked there.

Established in 1996, it houses historic looms, archives and personal stories that reflect over 177 years of continuous textile production.

However, due to severe roof damage and resulting safety concerns, the centre has been closed for several years and remains at risk of deterioration. Without this funding, the collection could be lost or permanently damaged. 

This project will restore the Heritage Centre, repair the roof, and safeguard the historic collection, including rare Jacquard Loom machinery and documents.

It will also transform access to the heritage by working with nine local primary schools to co-create a modern education programme for Years 1 and 2, ensuring young people can connect with their local history.

A key part of the project is broadening participation. The project will also capture and share the stories of South Asian communities who contributed to the textile industry. Volunteers and local residents will also play a central role through a steering group, helping to shape and sustain the Heritage Centre into the future.

The project supports the Heritage Fund’s investment principles by:

• Saving heritage through urgent repairs and conservation of at-risk collections
• Protecting the environment by using sustainable materials, local suppliers and encouraging low-carbon travel
• Increasing inclusion, access and participation through school programmes, community engagement and improved accessibility
• Organisational sustainability – Strengthening heritage to be adaptive and financially resilient, contributing to communities and economies

Nick Pitman, managing director of Oswaldtwistle Mills, said: “We are thrilled to have received this support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

"Thanks to National Lottery players, we can now save this important heritage, reopen the Heritage Centre and ensure the stories of Moscow Mill and its people are preserved and shared with future generations. This project will inspire local pride, connect young people with their history and ensure our heritage is accessible to everyone.” 

Murray Dawson, chair of Amazing Accrington, added: “We have long championed the heritage going back to James Hargreaves, we were the original Northern Powerhouse, with great importance of the mills and their contribution to our local economy.

"Thanks to former Oswaldtwistle Mills owner, Peter Hargreaves, we have a rich source of local history within the building, and we were able to support on knowledge for the bid to ensure the heritage is restored, modernised and on display for generations to come.”