Bridge 5 Mill

Who we are

Bridge 5 Mill is a characterful and uniquely sustainable mill on the edge of Ancoats. We provide affordable workspaces, flexible event spaces, and services to support diverse social change projects and organisations. We also deliver our own community and cultural events and facilitate a network of changemakers.

Our Victorian silk mill on the Ashton Canal was sustainably refurbished in 2001 by a dedicated group of people who had a vision to create a hub and resource centre for groups, organisations, and individuals working on environmental and social issues, taking action for change.

We are part of the charity Fairfield Environment Trust, and together with our sister organisations The Kindling Trust and Veg Box People, we work to deliver radical solutions to ecological and social issues.

Our culture and values

Bridge 5 Mill was refurbished using sustainable building practices, and as many eco-friendly and recycled materials as possible. Some repurposed items include a piece of slate that was once the top of a snooker table, back in the days of the mill being used as Ancoats Lads Club, and our bins are made from leftover metal from the roof of the Lowry Theatre in Salford. When we first opened in 2001, Bridge 5 Mill was recognised as one of Manchester’s most sustainable buildings and awarded the most energy efficient building. 

Sustainability is at the forefront of our operations; we are a vegetarian building and purchase goods from ethical and sustainable sources, including our energy. Our recycling stations include compost bins and ban single use plastics at events. We use eco-friendly cleaning products and continuously work to improve our practices. Our solar panels and water reduction solutions help us reduce our impact however we recognise there is more to be done. We review and assess our reduction, optimisation and production plans regularly and aim to improve our energy saving capacities. 

We help to build an equitable, inclusive and diverse network of organisations and communities working towards positive social change, by providing dedicated work and event spaces, giving opportunities to grassroot projects, and creating a safe space for people to thrive, connect and enjoy. We encourage public involvement in projects from our changemakers as well as collaborations and resource sharing between organisations. Through procurement and collaborations, we support companies who are real living wage employers, are not for profit, independant and promote fairtrade and sustainable practices. By doing so, and leading by example, we aim to promote an alternative economy that benefits and strengthens communities.