Visit to the Mustard Mill, Toadhole Furnace

Photos: Before and after images at Amber House

Last month some of the DHBT team paid a visit to the 'Amber Mill Furniture Retail Enterprise Centre', at Amber House in Toadhole Furnace.

This Grade 2 Listed building built by Daniel Hopkinson in 1817, (his initials and date are inscribed over the arch windows), was used as a mustard mill in the mid 1800s. After the demise of the mustard mill, the building was subsequently purchased by 'The Amber Mill Furniture Manuf. Co .Ltd'., established in 1909 for the manufacture of traditional furniture.

Prior to moving to Amber House, the company had manufactured furniture in Amber Mill, which is about 400m from the mustard mill.

The 'Amber Mill Furniture Manuf. Co. Ltd' continued manufacturing furniture until the late 1980s.

Since then Amber House has remained empty, until now, when it has been restored; retaining the charm of the original building with help of dedicated local artisans.

The fabric of the mustard mill has been sympathetically cleaned and pointed inside and out to enhance the coursed squared sandstone with sandstone dressings, which is quintessential of Derbyshire architecture.

The entire mill has undergone total renovation, including a new roof, a specially designed sweeping fabricated staircase inside, rewiring, plumbing, new hardwood windows in the original style, plus the installation of a klargester (no mains drainage within Toadhole Furnace), and super-fast broadband. The outside space has been landscaped to accommodate a generous carparking area.

The building will now provide light, flexible space to enable business start-ups and local entrepreneurs to promote their own businesses in convivial surroundings.

Many thanks to Ann for taking the time to show us around and talk to us about the development. Those involved include:

Architect - Tim Nutter

Building control - Peter Mandell

Overall building construction Clive Gibson

Joinery Alfreton – John Hunt

Drainage and landscaping - Graham Wright

Dry stone walling and stone work . – Shaun Graney. Peter Standley, Mick Goulty, Richard Bradbury and Des Watkinson

Fabrications – Universal Fabrications

Upton Electrical – Robert Upton

Central heating - J.J. Plumbing – Jonathan Bates

Broadband – w3z Broadband

Photo: Members of the DHBT inside the upper floor of the Mill, which will be available to rent as open plan office space.