Coldharbour Mill has received £230,169 from The Culture Recovery Fund for Heritage, part of the £1.57 billion rescue package announced by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.

The fund aims to safeguard cultural and heritage organisations across the UK from the economic impact of Covid-19 and the funding will help support the ongoing costs of maintaining the mill’s nationally significant heritage site.

Coldharbour Mill Trust has been working hard since the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown began to keep up with maintenance of the heritage buildings, re-introduce its team of volunteers and start progressing projects put on hold by the pandemic.

Although it has raised funds through its emergency appeal, it has been in dire need of extra support to guarantee the site is protected for future generations to enjoy.

Mill chief executive Martin Halse said: “Thanks to the Culture Recovery Fund we will be able to make the dramatic changes needed to re-open the estate, factory and museum next season, as well as support the ongoing projects vital to the success of Coldharbour Mill going forward.

“The Board of Trustees and I are extremely grateful for this lifeline in a continually challenging situation, and these funds will be pivotal in continuing to sustain Coldharbour Mill.”

Despite reducing costs and utilising government schemes such as furlough, Coldharbour Mill was still facing a loss in visitor income for this season on top of the additional costs required to make the site Covid-19 compliant.

This funding will allow the mill to continue to provide volunteering opportunities to more than 100 people, and educational experiences for schools and visitors locally, nationally and internationally.