Hidden Horsham - Provender Mill

Provender Mill

This is Provender Mill at the end of Mill Bay Lane, most recently acting as offices. It has also been known as the the Town Mill and concerns over its condition were raised in 1975 when it was a residential dwelling. Work began on the office conversion in 1990, rescuing it from certain deriliction

This mill shares some of its history with the nearby Prewetts Mill. Clicking on the thumbnails will reveal the view from various and close-ups of some details

At one time it would have been powered by the watermill running across the front of the building. The millwright is identified on the pillars supporting the main entrance; W Cooper, Henfield 1867. Perhaps in the future, with environmental concerns and escalating fuel costs, this source of renewable energy will be tapped into again. A mill pond used to supply the mill and was a common swimming venue for the boys from Collyers when it was in Denne Road, on the site of St Mary's Primary School

The second thumbnail shows the view from Cricketfields Road. Clicking the thumbnail to the right will reveal a close up view of the sundial. The restoration date of MCMXC (1990) is recorded

In February 2007 part of the building became available to let; 2000 square feet together with 10 parking spaces were advertised by Ken Boyle Associates in the Business Matters supplement to the West Sussex County Times. Click here for the advertisment

By February 2008 Provender Mill was empty as an office block and placed on the market as a development opportunity for £1,000,000. The suggested conversion was to 3 x three bedroom apartments and 1 two bedroom apartment, the latter occupying the lowest floor. The selling agent was Humberts, see external links below. The vendor also had plans to build a further property in part of the adjacent car parking area

The photographs below show the mill pond with the mill in the background, dated 1891 and 1923 respectively

Reproduced courtesy of The Francis Frith Collection.

Reproduced courtesy of The Francis Frith Collection.

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