At Rock Mill Centre, we’re proud to be a welcoming community and visitor hub at the heart of New Mills. Our aim is to bring people together, to share knowledge, celebrate creativity, and build connections. We provide visitor information, a venue for community activities, and a home for events, exhibitions, workshops, and talks. Everything we do is guided by a belief in community spirit and a commitment to a more sustainable future for everyone who lives in and visits our area.

The story of Rock Mill Centre began in the summer of 2022, when a small group of local people took on the lease of the former Heritage and Information Centre at short notice. We believed the building had an important future as a community space. With the kind support of our landlords, Brian and Gillian Stanway, and the help of an ever-growing number of volunteers, including some who were part of the original Heritage Centre team, we began bringing new life to the building.

How it All Began

Rock Mills Centre First Open Night.jpg

Growing Together

We officially launched Rock Mill Centre on March 21st, 2023. Our goal has always been to work together with our community to create a welcoming space where people can meet, share local knowledge, and explore how we can respond to wider global challenges together. Our early funding came mostly from private donations, along with small grants from the Transition Network, High Peak Borough Council (HPBC), and Commsave. With support from Derbyshire County Council, we were also able to open as a Warm Welcome Space during the winter months.

Community event at Rock Mill Centre in New Mills, live music and entertainment in the venue space.

Building for the Future

To help cover our running costs, we operate a small café, sell work by local artists and producers, and rent rooms for meetings and community use. To secure the Centre’s long-term future as a community asset, we have recently become a Community Interest Company (CIC). The Centre continues to rely on the time and commitment of our volunteers, whose hard work makes everything possible.

Rock Mill Centre belongs to everyone. We warmly invite you to visit, share your ideas, and get involved, this is your space too.

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Our Guiding Values

  • We are inclusive

  • We learn as we go

  • We look after each other

  • We get things done

  • We are creative and experimental

  • We collaborate