WHITCHURCH Silk Mill has again won industry recognition after last year’s major revamp.

The Mill reopened in September 2018 following a £1.7 million renovation project to repair and conserve the site buildings, improve the visitor experience and ensure the future of silk weaving in Whitchurch.

In March this year the tourist hotspot was nominated for the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) South Award, before winning a pair of Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) awards less than three months later.

Now, the landmark can add the SPACES Heritage Conservation award to its list of accolades.

The result was revealed at the SPACES Annual Awards Ceremony 2019, held at the Pentahotel, in Reading, last Thursday.

Sue Tapliss, who has been Mill director since 2012, said: “I am delighted the Mill has received this national award from SPACES, it recognises the achievement of our volunteers, staff and contractors and in particular that of Bethan Knights, the conservation architect who lead the building works.

“The quality of the project has created a really good base for us to create a sustainable future for the Mill and to continue to weave silk and happy memories for another 200 years!”

Hampshire County Council architects carried out the Silk Mill restoration project, and two more of their buildings were recognised at last week’s award. The Lookout, at Lepe, was runner-up in the Small Buildings category, and Robert May’s School was highly commended in the School Refurbishment category.