We at Bridge 5 Mill pride ourselves on serving as Greater Manchester’s leading sustainability venue, home to groups, events and ideas that make our great city greener, healthier & more equitable.
As you can read on our About Us page, we were originally established in 1996 under a different name. We are no strangers to the city region, and we have forged meaningful connections with like-minded folk from different walks of life; this is reflected by the diversity of causes being championed within our walls by our changemakers, ranging from emotional therapy for creatives to active campaigning for nuclear disarmament.
In addition to the changemaking tenants based here at the mill, we operate as an events venue with several unique spaces for hire; we primarily seek to provide space for organisations and groups who share our ethos, and we offer subsidised rates for non-profits and charities – we want to do what we can to help facilitate their brilliant work!
Our building acts as a constant reminder of Manchester’s industrial past, and remnants of this can be found throughout the mill. There are also more recent gems, such as our reception desk, a piece of slate that was once the top of a snooker table back when the mill was used as Ancoats Lads Club. Sustainability is a core part of our mission here.
Ultimately, our vision is to become a versatile social change centre, empowering a diversity of creative and social changemakers in the North West, with the aim to facilitate and deliver social action in a sustainable way. We also aim to become an essential and supportive organisation within Fairfield Environment Trust by acting as the gateway urban centre for their global strategy.
As has been the case for everyone, the past few years have thrown up unique challenges; you won’t be surprised to learn that it’s difficult for an organisation that depends on filling up its spaces with people during a global pandemic… Fortunately, since re-opening our doors to the public, we’ve been lucky enough to attract groups who had never been to Bridge 5 Mill before, as well as bring back those who were previously familiar with what we do and had been regular guests pre-COVID.
Likewise, it is wonderful to see how our changemakers have adapted in championing their causes, and while challenges do still arise due to international events and circumstances beyond any of our direct control, we see our tenants’ passions staying strong.
We’re looking forward to the rest of the year ahead, and we’re sure we’ll continue to be inspired by those carrying out their great work within our walls.
