Source win pitch to develop Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings new website

Shrewsbury based website design agency, Source, is proud to announce a new and exciting project designing and developing the new website for Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings. After a competitive tender process, Source will work in collaboration with site owner Historic England’s in-house team to design and develop the site, due to launch in late 2021.

Built in 1797 and known as the grandparent of modern skyscrapers because of its pioneering iron frame, the Flaxmill Maltings had two centuries of use, first as a flax mill, then as a maltings. The site was also used as a training centre and barracks during World War II.

An iconic part of Shrewsbury’s identity, this world first will soon have a new lease of life. The ground floor of the distinctive Main Mill will be home to a new café and visitor experience, with a full range of interactive activities. The upper four floors of the Main Mill will provide commercial office space that will help drive the town’s renaissance as a regional economic hub. This and the pyramid-roofed Kiln are due to open in spring 2022.

The new website’s primary objective is to launch and promote the restored Flaxmill Maltings, allowing users to find out more about the buildings’ history, buy tickets for the new visitor experience and tours, enquire about volunteering with the Friends, make donations, enquire about office space, and find out what is happening as the site continues to develop. The design and development will focus on user experience, accessibility and security standards across all devices and browsers.

Sally Tringham, Managing Director of Source said: 

“As a team, Source are delighted to be working with Historic England and the Friends of the Flaxmill Maltings to bring this heritage site back to life via a new, commercial website.

A phased approach will see an initial launch of what the Flaxmill Maltings has to offer in late 2021, with phase two offering additional booking functionality.”

Kate Winsall, Content & Marketing Director of Historic England said: 

“Historic England are delighted to be working collaboratively with a creative local company, Source, to bring the Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings brand to life digitally. 

The new website will celebrate the heritage of innovation at Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings and the historical, technological and social significance of the site. It will be designed with our new customers in mind, focusing on delivering a quality customer experience while sharing the breadth of stories, offers and opportunities that the revitalised site will bring.       

We are really looking forward to building the site’s online presence as a first step to welcoming locals, tourists and business customers alike to work, play, learn and eat at the Flaxmill Maltings.”    

Marianne Blaauboer, Manager of the Friends of the Flaxmill Maltings said: 

“The Friends are passionate about sharing the story of the world’s first iron-framed building both in-person and online, and we are delighted to have the opportunity to work collaboratively with Historic England and local company, Source to be part of the new website for Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings.” 

The restoration of the Grade I listed Main Mill and the Grade II Kiln at the Flaxmill Maltings is taking place thanks to a £20.7m grant from National Lottery players through The National Lottery Heritage Fund, combined with the additional funding from the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership via its Growth Deal with Government, and from project partners Historic England, Shropshire Council and the Friends of the Flaxmill Maltings.