Mill complex left derelict by massive fire goes up for sale

Wednesday, 10 December 2025 17:11

By Chris Gee

A mill complex recently hit by a major fire has been put up for sale. A huge blaze broke out at Pioneer Mill in Radcliffe on September 27, leaving a firefighter seriously injured and several businesses in ruins.

Now the 304,920 sq ft building is being marketed for sale by commercial property surveyors, Manchester based WT Gunson.

The September fire saw a section of the building destroyed and controlled demolition of a portion of the building took place shortly after, in order to make it safe.

A marketing brochure for the site does not state a purchase price for Pioneer Mill, stating ‘offers invited’. The marketing material, said: “The site has been used for many years as a commercial warehouse mill premises which has been let to multiple tenants.

“The mill is now vacant and in derelict condition with part having been demolished following a recent fire at the site. “There is no alternative planning on the site other than its historic use.

“It may suit redevelopment subject to planning permission. “Interested parties should make further enquiries direct with the local planning authority.”

The brochure adds that ‘it should be noted that the site does sit within a flood zone’. The sale document states that project to restore the nearby Milltown Street bridge, which was destroyed in 2015 during the Boxing Day floods is nearing completion.

It said: “The £3.2 million bridge reinstatement project will restore a long missing link in Radcliffe’s local infrastructure and significantly improve walking and cycling access to and from Radcliffe town centre and neighbouring communities.

“This directly links the Pioneer Mill site with the neighbouring community and provides easy access to Radcliffe town centre.” Nearby there, a major new scheme for 400 homes is taking shape at the former East Lancs Paper Mill site, Radcliffe.

That development is a partnership agreement between Homes England and Morris Homes to develop the site, one of the largest brownfield housing sites in the borough.

The recent fire was dealt with by fire units from across Greater Manchester.
GMFRS deputy chief fire officer, Carlos Meakin, spoke about the ‘extremely
challenging incident’ and the injured firefighter shortly after.

He said a full investigation into the incident, undertaken jointly with the Fire Brigade’s Union (FBU) was underway to identify any learning and help ensure that firefighters are as safe as possible

He said: “This incident highlights the exceptional challenges and dangers firefighters face when working to protect our communities.”