Working with partners SMC Minimix Concrete, Aggregate Industries supplied lightweight secondary aggregate in order to support the fragile iron structure of the building during its redevelopment, as part of the current restoration project by Historic England.

Termed ‘the most important building of the modern age’ by the chairman of the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Sir Peter Luff, the site comprises of eight listed buildings, including the Main Mill, which was built in 1797, when Shropshire was at the heart of the industrial revolution.

As the first iron-framed building, the site paved the way for modern skyscrapers and has a rich history; originating as a state-of-the-art steam-powered flaxmill spinning linen thread from flax, before being converted into a maltings at the turn of the 19th century.

The site was also temporarily used by the military as a barracks during World War II before falling into disrepair in the late 1980’s after the doors closed on the maltings for the last time. After being purchased by Historic England as part of an initiative to save the site and restore it along with Shropshire Council and the Friends of the Flaxmill Maltings, a visitor centre opened in 2015 as part of the first phase of restoration works.

Now in its second phase thanks to a Heritage Fund grant, work is currently in progress to fully restore the Main Mill and Kiln buildings.

When complete in 2021 these buildings will be home to a brand new public interpretation space and café at ground level and several thousand feet of contemporary office and meeting space on the floors above, creating a new learning and enterprise quarter for the region. Future plans for the remaining land and buildings on site include the development of new living space.