About Us
History of Lister’s Mill
Manningham Mills is a magnificent Grade 2 listed heritage building whose chimney dominates the Bradford skyline. Built in 1871 by Samuel Cunliffe Lister, it was the largest mill in the world, employing over 11,000 people and was an international textile giant for generations. Many people in the community remember working in the Mill and have family members who did.
A changing international economy saw the decline of the Mills and its eventual closure in the late 20th century. The building rapidly fell into decay, and this, with the general depression of the surrounding area of Bradford, caused the birth of the Manningham Mills Community Association (MMCA), a group of residents determined to fight to save the Mill from ruin and provide a community centre in the building.
For over ten years, MMCA were prime movers in saving the building from dereliction. They organised events, fundraised and managed part of the space for the community, until the rain finally came through the roof.
When property developers Urban Splash bought the Mill in 2001 with assistance from Yorkshire Forward and Bradford Council, they started converting the Silk Mill into apartments. MMCA negotiated a lease with them, and with Bradford Council, for space on the ground floor to create a community centre, having secured funding from the European Regional Development Fund. After a twelve year struggle, MMCA opened the community centre in July 2007 and started providing services to the people who live and work in the area.
Manningham Mills is a magnificent Grade 2 listed heritage building whose chimney dominates the Bradford skyline. Built in 1871 by Samuel Cunliffe Lister, it was the largest mill in the world, employing over 11,000 people and was an international textile giant for generations. Many people in the community remember working in the Mill and have family members who did.
A changing international economy saw the decline of the Mills and its eventual closure in the late 20th century. The building rapidly fell into decay, and this, with the general depression of the surrounding area of Bradford, caused the birth of the Manningham Mills Community Association (MMCA), a group of residents determined to fight to save the Mill from ruin and provide a community centre in the building.
For over ten years, MMCA were prime movers in saving the building from dereliction. They organised events, fundraised and managed part of the space for the community, until the rain finally came through the roof.
When property developers Urban Splash bought the Mill in 2001 with assistance from Yorkshire Forward and Bradford Council, they started converting the Silk Mill into apartments. MMCA negotiated a lease with them, and with Bradford Council, for space on the ground floor to create a community centre, having secured funding from the European Regional Development Fund. After a twelve year struggle, MMCA opened the community centre in July 2007 and started providing services to the people who live and work in the area.
