Caerlee Mills, Innerleithen – Auction
Innerleithen Mills to be sold at auction
It’s a sad end to what was Scotland’s oldest continually-operating textile mill as Caerlee Mills in Innerleithen are put up for auction.
The auction of the mills starts at 7:30pm on the 13th February 2014 and comprise:
- Substantial Category B Listed Mill Building and Other Subjects in the Scenic Town of Innerleithen.
- Massive Site extending to over 3.8Acres.
- Great Development Opportunity for Residential/Commercial Property.
- Redevelopment Potential- potential to re-use or redevelop (subject to necessary planning consent) as available to purchase with vacant possession
- Properties benefit from traditional construction, metal framed single glazed windows and pitched slate covered roof.
- Excellent development opportunity- popular location for a conversion into a residential property (subject to planning permission)
- Ideal location in the heart of Innerleithen, the eighth largest town in the Borders.
The gates of the mill closed after production came to an end on the 1st April 2013 and the buildings have sat empty since.
Liquidators KPMG had attempted to secure the sale of the 225-year-old mill as a going concern, but no interest was expressed. At its peak the mill, which dates back to 1788, employed 400 workers. Previous owners JJ & HB Cashmere went into administration three years previosuly with the loss of 132 jobs.
The site was saved from closure then by a management takeover.
However, the firm got into difficulties after its main customer decided to significantly reduce the volume of manufacturing at Innerleithen.
Blair Nimmo, of KPMG, thanked staff for their co-operation during the “difficult process” and said the liquidators would work to ensure that employees would receive support to find new jobs.
He said: “Despite our best efforts to secure the sale of the mill we have been left with no option other than to cease all operations with immediate effect.
“Unfortunately 33 of the company’s 36 employees have been made redundant, with three staff being retained in the short term to assist in winding down the business.
“There was no interest expressed from parties looking to continue running Caerlee Mills as a going concern, which has ultimately led to its closure.”
Further details are available on the auction website
