The Arkwright Society seeks a suitably qualified consultant team to develop a strategic and sustainable business plan and masterplan for the Cromford Mills site. The plan will focus on generating revenue for the site, based on need and growth opportunity, and will help make the case for capital investment in the site development.
Cromford Mills, built by Sir Richard Arkwright in the 1770s and 1780s, is universally regarded as one of the most important heritage sites in the world, and lies within the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site. Established in 1971, the Arkwright Society’s charitable purpose is to promote and protect the industrial heritage of Cromford Mills with conservation and education at its heart.
The mill complex is a large site with a visitor exhibition, business centre, catering and a busy events and conferencing programme. We have an award-winning educational offer for schools and a very enthusiastic and involved volunteer team, who help deliver the visitor heritage offer.
This is an exciting and pivotal time for The Arkwright Society. We want to grow our existing visitor engagement and educational offer, as well broaden engagement and interest in the work of the Charity and Cromford Mills. We are embarking on our next phase of major development with important decisions to be made on the conservation and future use of its iconic buildings, including Arkwright’s first mill and Building 1. We need a clear, holistic and viable plan to move forward.
We invite you to submit a tender and get involved in this next chapter. We want this to be a collaborative process and make a lasting difference to the future of this internationally significant site.
The estimated cost of the commission is up to £40,000 plus VAT.
Tender submission deadline: 21st April at 5pm. Proposals to be submitted via email to escott@arkwrightsociety.org.uk.
Tender assessment: week beginning 24th April 2023 with allowance for interviews during that time.
Download the brief: Brief for strategic business plan and masterplan for Cromford Mills
If you would like an informal discussion and/or to visit the site, please contact Eilis Scott, CEO of The Arkwright Society at escott@arkwrightsociety.org.uk
The information pack is available on request. Visits will be made available during the period 3rd -14th April 2023 excluding bank holidays.
