A businessman is asking the people of Preston to come forward with their ideas for the development of Craggs Mill.

Richard Porter, founder of Hashtag Quiz, bought the mill in Craggs Row off Moor Lane in 2018.

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The mill has six storeys and the potential to become a residential development, but Richard has hopes for it to be turned into a creative project by a charitable or community organisation.

Richard has created the Craggs Mill Facebook page with the aim of sparking interest and being able to avoid the residential route.

Despite regularly receiving enquiries from architectural design students, Richard says he needs an experienced operator to carry out the huge task, due to the building being Grade II listed.

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Richard said: “Being in the arts and performance myself, I would like to see the building used for something creative. I don’t have the time to run another business, but would like to give back.

“The reason for an experienced operator is, we would need to apply for funding from heritage and arts to complete the works on the building as it is currently derelict.

“However with it being derelict, we have a blank canvas for creativity.”

The building is Preston’s only surviving windmill and is thought to have been constructed in 1760 when it was used as a corn mill.

Since the sails were removed in 1880 the mill has had a variety of uses including as an overflow prison, a piano workshop and a cinema in World War II.

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Craggs Mill has been bought and sold numerous times with multiple development ideas, but none ever being finished.

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What would you turn Craggs Mill into? Tell us in the comments below.