One Man's Mill

In the aftermath of the closure of the famous Crossley Carpets factory, Halifax in 1982, local businessman Ernest Hall has bought Dean Clough Mill and converted it into a business centre. Here pianist David Wilde plays at its opening, and we are shown some of the businesses that have made it their home. It is helped by a new organisation, UK 2000, which, with Ernest Hall and a casual Richard Branson on board, has its inaugural meeting at the Mill with Prince Charles chairing.

When Ernest Hall led a consortium to buy up Dean Clough Mill it started a new chapter in his life which led to him receiving a knighthood in 1993, and reinvigorated his interest in the arts, especially his childhood ambition to play the piano – recording the complete works of Chopin in his 70s, as has (almost) David Wilde. Dean Clough has flourished since this documentary was made, as has Suma Wholefoods, and Mark Wade’s printing business is still in operation, although both have subsequently moved out. UK2000 was launched in 1986 to improve the environment and create jobs, with Richard Branson first its Chairman and then its President. It was active until 1990 and then seems to have disappeared off the radar.