ONE of Hampshire’s most treasured historic buildings is under serious threat.

Winchester City Mill is the oldest working watermill in Britain and dates back more than a 1,000 years.

However, its bosses say the future of the building, which has stood in the city since Saxon times, is in jeopardy because of flood damage.

Although the damage, to the basement part of the building, occurred during the heavy floods of 2014, it was only six months ago that the true extent of the devastation was discovered.

Now a campaign is under way to save it from potential closure, and the National Trust, who owns the building say they need £125,000 by June this year to secure the mill’s immediate future as a visitor attraction and working corn mill.

Serious structural problems were revealed when inspections were carried out, including severe deterioration of the beams and joists. 

Emergency propping has now been installed to provide support to the building.

Property manager at Winchester City Mill, Ric Weeks, said the flooding came as the attraction had been enjoying a surge in visitor numbers.

Since the machinery was restored in 2004 and it became a working flour mill again, the number of visitors flocking to the building has grown from 17,000 people to more than 40,000.

However, Mr Weeks warned if the campaign fails, then there is a real risk of closure.

Mr Weeks said: “I was the manager when the flood happened. Most of the damage was visual so this came as a massive surprise and shock afterwards as it was not apparent until six months later how bad it actually was.”

“There have been a whole series of surveys that have now given us the results to know what we are dealing with and come up with a price to fix it.

“If we do not meet the target there is a risk we will have to close the property until funding can be found within the region, and that’s why we are having the fundraising campaign to keep the property open to the public and for the public to be involved in it.

“It is a very real risk and it would be a loss to Winchester if it were to close.

“I think this is an opportunity for people to really help save a unique Winchester attraction and to ensure its future for future generations to enjoy.”

Over the coming months there will be a number of events to raise money.
These include an action-packed launch weekend on February 4 and 5, a duck race registration in May half-term followed by an August race along part of the River Itchen in Winchester (August 26).

There will also be a June Millathon (June 17/18) where volunteers will be making flour all day and all night for 30 hours.