Calrec Audio’s Nutclough Mill headquarters has been awarded a prestigious Blue Plaque to mark its historical significance to manufacturing. It was awarded by the Calder Civic Trust and unveiled by Mayor of Hebden Royd, Carol Stow.

The Blue Plaque scheme was established in 1866 to serve as a marker on buildings of historical significance – and as Calrec’s many international visitors already know, Calrec’s HQ practically groans with the weight of manufacturing history!

Nutclough Mill was built in the 1700s and was purchased in 1873 by the Hebden Bridge Fustian Manufacturing Society, a worker’s cooperative where each worker had an ownership stake in the business and the building (Nutclough Mill was actually the first worker’s cooperative textile mill in the world. True fact!). The mill was extended twice in the 1880s and 1890s and during the Industrial Revolution it played a huge role in the vibrant manufacturing economy of the area.

The textile industry had disappeared by the 1960’s and the Mill lay empty. Calrec moved into the building in 1989 and now celebrates 30 years there.

In that time Calrec has developed the building and added a state-of-the-art production facility. It is where all of Calrec’s audio equipment is designed, prototyped, built, tested, sold and supported – and means the Mill is still home to the area’s biggest employer.

We are proud our lovely building has been awarded this honour, and although it is an extra thing to have to clean, we’re proud to be able to play a part in Nutclough Mill’s continued history!