This week at the Mill, it’s been all hands on deck for a serious glow-up and not before time. Since moving in, Jude has very much been in “make do and mend” mode. But with a bit of breathing room (and a well-timed holiday week), we decided it was finally time to transform the space into something far more comfortable, practical, and dare we say it efficient.

The past seven days have been a whirlwind of activity. We’ve rolled out AstroTurf flooring, built brand-new mobile workstations for power tools, and rethought the entire layout to make everything easier to access. The goal? Speed up production, clear the mental (and physical) clutter, and turn the Mill into a space that works with us, not against us.

From Posters to Practicality

One of the more unusual additions this week came in the form of an old HMV poster wall. Once home to rows of rolled up posters, it’s now being reimagined as a clever storage solution for plastic, metal, and brass pipes and tubes. Even better, the former poster slots are set to become our go-to reference bible for paint and fabrics.

As a bonus, the cabinet came fully stocked with a treasure trove of unsold posters. While most were… a bit naff, there were a few gems in the mix. Think Godzilla, IT, and Ghostbusters.

Tackling the Floors

Next up was the floors. Working in an old cotton mill means beautiful character but also decades of oil-soaked wooden boards. In the textile room, we took on the mammoth task of sanding everything back. Belt after belt, hour after hour… it was no small feat.

Thanks to a stroke of luck—when a nearby football vault shut down, we were able to rescue and repurpose their AstroTurf. The result is a clean, practical surface that’s as easy on the eyes as it is underfoot. And Murphy is absolutely loving it, no more oily paws!

Workstations That Work For Us

Arguably the biggest game changer this week has been the introduction of individual mobile workstations for each power tool. Previously, everything lived on one large workbench, which meant constant clearing, shifting, and general faff just to use a single tool.

Now, each tool has its own dedicated unit, complete with storage and mounted on castors so it can roll exactly where it’s needed. Built from a mix of the old workbench, scaffold, and recycled OSB board, these stations are as sustainable as they are practical. It’s a small change that’s going to make a big difference day to day.

The Final Push

We wrapped up the week with a much needed tidy-up of the paint shed and casting workbench, always a satisfying way to close things out.

Next on the list? Conquering the ever-growing mountain of cardboard and wood offcuts, before installing a brand-new storage area at the far end of the workshop.

Step by step, the Mill is becoming the space we always knew it could be and we’re just getting started.

We hope you enjoyed our little tour around the workshop this week. Keep joining us for more updates.