A men’s shed, supporting mental health through carpentry and crafts, has become the first thing to operate at a paper mill since it shut down.
Chartham Paper Mill, near Canterbury, closed in 2022 after the firm fell into administration.
The site was put up for sale the following year but despite a new owner taking over, has sat empty since.
Now, Chartham Men’s Shed has opened in an old laboratory at the complex after a grant from the parish council.
The group’s official launch was held on July 26.
Chairman of the council, Tim Clark, told KentOnline: “Visitors were able to look around the lab building, which now houses the workshop, games room, art room, dark room facility and social space.
“They were also able to see the other buildings that we hope to develop as a more permanent base.
“Members are sought, with skills to share or none at all.
“The main thing is the shed will be a place to meet and enjoy some company and purpose.”
The site was sold to an unknown buyer for an undisclosed sum, with potential for housing, but no planning applications have yet been submitted.
In the meantime, the parish council has been given the opportunity to make use of some of the old mill.
Cllr Clark said: “The new owners of the old mill have been very supportive in loaning the current buildings, and the parish council has provided a grant under their community grant scheme to fund the setting up of the shed.
“The committee are excited to discuss what projects we might be able to undertake, as well as finishing preparing the current spaces.
“They are very open to suggestions, are friendly and are very keen to make this a success.”
Chartham Men’s Shed will be open on Tuesday mornings from 10am-12pm, Thursday evenings from 6pm-8pm and Saturday mornings.
The history of Chartham Mill can be traced back to 1737 when a mill was first established in the village.
Its ownership changed hands several times over the years, and by the early 20th century, it was under the control of Wiggins Teape, a paper manufacturer based in Maidstone.
In 1971, Wiggins Teape merged with the French paper company Arjomari to form ArjoWiggins, and Chartham Mill became part of the new company.
During the 1990s, a significant modernisation program was implemented, involving the installation of new equipment and advanced manufacturing techniques.
But in 2019, Arjowiggins went into administration, and was subsequently run by a management buy-out driven team, which also went into administration in 2022.
