Apartments at old mill soon ready to let

Press, 17 June 1982, Page 6

Apartments at old mill soon ready to let

Apartments in the Wood Bros: bld, flour mill in Wise Addington, will be ready to let within six -J-,. •

’ Mr Clive Brooker, who has bought the old four-storey building for a “six-figure sum,” said yesterday that the flats would be ready as soon as “a few walls were put up and the plumbers have been in."

Planning permission for the conversion of the brick building to house eight flats, a theatre playhouse, studios for painting, photography, sculpture, and wood carving and small businesses had been given about a month ago, he said.

Mr Brooker has lived in a flat in the old mill for six years and until recently ran the Regeneration Bakery. Mr Brooker said that there had been a lot of interest in the apartments. “We are looking for people who will do things with‘the premises. One man, who looked at the apartment, also

requires some of the studio space.” Mr Brooker also hoped to encourage cultural groups and light industry to use the building. A furniture-making business and the bakery are at present using the ground floor, and the Damax Gym Club has 3000 square feet rented. Plans tor tne old min include the use of the ground, first, and second floors for light industry, conversion of the fourth floor to apartments, and parking for 80 to 90 vehicles on the site. The Riccarton Players are renovating the old store building facing Wise Street as a theatre to seat 80. Mr Brooker said that the mill was a “lovely old building and a lot can be done with it.” He had decided to build himself a flat in the building because he “fell in love” with the mill, but it was also a matter of practicality. “You have to have a roof over your head somewhere,” he said.