Mancunians have rallied round their city’s historic buildings demanding greater protections after the huge fire that devastated large parts of Medlock Mill.
Save Britain’s Heritage joins them in lamenting the fire and asking why the site – thought to be Manchester’s oldest mill – had not been made safe by the owners while they worked on revisions to their damaging planning application for a 37-storey tower.
The blaze broke out at about 6pm on 23rd June and burned so fiercely that the balconies of neighbouring buildings were set alight. Fortunately no one was injured but it is thought that significant elements of the mill’s historic fabric have been destroyed.
The cause is currently unclear. A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said crews were inspecting the building daily to check for hot spots, adding: “GMFRS is working closely with [the police], local authority partners and the building owners to work on next steps and ensure a safe and thorough investigation can be completed.”
Two petitions were quickly launched, one demanding the mill be rebuilt and the other urging the preservation of what survives. Both call for greater protection for historic buildings more broadly, something SAVE supports.
“The devastating fire at Manchester’s iconic Medlock Mill, also known as the Hotspur Press building, has moved thousands of residents of the city,” wrote Steven Garside, who set up Friends of Medlock Mill in the wake of the disaster. “Its disappearance would be a tragic loss to all who care about our local and national heritage.”
Louis Sutherland, who is behind the other petition, said: “The fire has robbed Manchester of one of its most iconic and historic buildings, a cornerstone of the city’s skyline and industrial heritage. Hotspur Press was not just bricks and mortar – it was a living reminder of the city’s printing legacy, a symbol of Manchester’s character and soul.
“What we don’t need is another anonymous block of luxury flats that serve investors over residents. We are tired of seeing our history erased for profit.”
Meanwhile SAVE has submitted a Freedom of Information request asking the Secretary of State to reveal her reasons for not listing Medlock Mill against the recommendation of the government’s statutory adviser on the historic environment, Historic England.
“It is highly unusual for the Culture Secretary to reject the advice of Historic England,” said SAVE’s conservation officer Lydia Franklin.
“To do so without clear and robust justification shows a concerning lack of transparency. There’s a principle at stake here that goes far beyond this one building. We urge the Secretary of State to make her reasons public.”
SAVE, the Georgian Group and other national heritage groups strongly supported listing the building in recognition of its exceptional significance as “potentially the oldest standing textile mill in Manchester”. Following the Secretary of State’s decision not to list the mill in January 2025, we joined forces with leading national heritage organisations to call for a review of the decision.
We understand that this review is underway, and we have requested an update on its status. There is no statutory timeframe for listing reviews.
