Axminster Carpets handed back to Abbey

The former Axminster Carpets’ spinning mill will be handed back to its new owners Buckfast Abbey in December.

A team of administrators have been stripping the assets for the past eight months with machinery being relocated as far afield as Belgium, Turkey, India and Pakistan. Some of the machinery has also been moved to areas within the UK including Telford, Gloucester, Axminster, various parts of Yorkshire and Lancashire.

Buckfast Abbey’s Financial Director Jonathan Deacon, said: “It was incredibly sad when the former mill had to close with the loss of so many jobs.”

“However. relocating a lot of the machinery means that the Mill will ‘live again’ in different parts of the world.”

“With the administrators leaving, we can now allow planners and consultants to evaluate the site and buildings close up, meaning we can firm up our plans for the site.

“The overall aim remains the same – to bring new employers in the hope of generating new jobs in the area. Plans are progressing for this. We have just started to market the site to drive interest in developing its future use.”

The former spinning mill, which was purchased in March 2013 is located immediately adjacent to the Abbey’s grounds.

Consultations are taking place with a number of bodies including Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership, Dartmoor National Park Authority and Teignbridge District  and Devon County Councils. These discussions will continue and develop along with the plans.