Landmark day for WBCM Ltd
Landmark day for WBCM Ltd22nd August 2020
Long term lease of WBCM site secured!
Another day, another landmark in the history of this historic building; the formal key handover by owners Cultura Trust to some of WBCM Ltd board. Pictured below are L-R, Graham Bell, Director of Cultura Trust, Karen Mason, miller for WBCM, Philip Healy, Chair of WBCM Ltd, and Graeme Brooks, the secretary. This marks the next phase of the story for the mill, which began 20 years ago for Graham Bell and Cultura, initially to buy, then raise funding to restore this heritage building, completed in September 2019. The Community Benefit Society, now registered as WBCM Ltd, was formed by a small group of interested locals after a public meeting back in April 2019 with shares in the business offered to the public from November last year. More than 200 members of the public purchased shares, enabling this community business to establish. Covid has been somewhat of an obstacle, but due to the surge in Cumbrians wanting to bake, milling commercially was brought forward, and our flour has flown off the shelves via the many local retailers who stock it. Site managers Debra & Geoff are continuing to complete the plans to expand the range of flours available, and finish the bakery fit out. Baking courses, as well as history tours, are planned imminently, so watch the Facebook page and look out for updates on our website. The future is exciting, not only in developing the commercial side of the business, but also encouraging members of the community to visit, engage and hopefully volunteer at this fabulous industrial heritage site.