Seeing the attraction of derelict colliery site
NEW OWNER HOPES TO PULL IN VISITORS
THE new owner of the site of a former Nottinghamshire colliery is hoping to turn it into a tourist attraction.
The headstocks and buildings at Clipstone Colliery, which closed in 2003, have been derelict for nearly two decades but the site’s new owner is seriously considering plans to revamp them to establish a “multi-purpose” site with a gym, a climbing wall, and a museum of mining history.
Indoor archery, badminton courts, and a creche are also being planned for the venue by Stuart Mills, director of Adco Properties Mansfield Limited, which acquired the site at the end of last year from the Welbeck Estate.
The Mansfield resident plans to use the site to attract tourists staying in north Notts at Center Parcs Sherwood Forest and Sherwood Castle in Rufford which Adco Properties also owns.
Mr Mills, who grew up in Clifton before moving to Mansfield, said: “I’ve been working in Mansfield for the last 20 years and, with Clipstone, we think it has the potential for tourism.
“The buildings are listed and largely in a bad state.
“They’ve sat there for so many years unused.
“Getting this site is something we have been looking at for a couple of years now. It’s not really up to us what happens with the headstocks now because they are listed too so won’t be going anywhere.
“We want to give local tourists something to do so we plan to set up things like a gym, a creche, indoor archery and a climbing wall.
“We are trying to remain flexible with what the site could be and what it to be multi-purpose. In total we think it would support around 50 local jobs too.”
Mr Mills, 63, told the Post that he plans to have some of the venue open to the public by the summer.
While the new landowner recognises “significant investment” will be needed at the site, business proposals are currently being considered on what it should be used for before cost estimations are made.
He added: “Our priority is to make the buildings watertight to prevent further deterioration.
“Once we have firmed up an end-use for the buildings we can assess potential income against expenditure.
“Because we are outside and a building site we are getting under way already despite the lockdown.
“We are going through proposals now while we clear out the site.
“Hopefully, by next summer we can open to the public in some aspects.”
Speaking on the potential investment that could be driven into the site, local councillor Paul Peacock said: “For the last five years since I became a district councillor, I’ve been pressing for that site to become something.
“It’s a prestigious and iconic site that really has some potential.
“It should have been developed many years ago.”
The site’s new owners are also hoping to create rooms that local residents and groups could use for meetings and social events.
Ian Goodwin, chief executive of Welbeck Estates Company, added: “We are delighted that the Clipstone Headstock land and buildings have been purchased by Adco Properties (Mansfield) Ltd with the intention of transforming them into a positive development for the whole community.”