Lyme Regis Town Mill has been awarded a £127,000 grant by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
The grant is part of a nearly £200,000 project designed to secure the future of this historic milestone.
Chair of Lyme Regis Town Mill Trust, Rob McLaughlin, said: "The team at the Town Mill, trustees, volunteers and local businesses, would like to say a big thank you to everyone who buys a National Lottery ticket, The National Lottery Heritage Fund and to the other funders who have contributed.
"This funding secures the historic Mill's future at the heart of the town."
The Lyme Regis Town Mill Trust will also benefit from funding provided by Lyme Regis Town Council, Dorset Council's Cultural Fund, Low Carbon Dorset, the Medlock Fund and the Town Mill Trust itself.
These funds aim to make further improvements to the watermill, which was rescued from ruin by volunteers and restored just shy of a quarter of a century ago.
The mill site, located in Lyme Regis's cultural quarter, offers free entry to visitors wishing to see the mill’s fully functioning water wheel in action.
It also provides an insight into the mill’s history, its millers and the stoneground flour they produce from organically grown grains.
The site also plays host to a variety of artisans, craft businesses, a cafe/restaurant, an art gallery and the charming Miller's Garden.
The grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund will further enable the Trust’s plans to lure more people and groups to frequent the Mill.
The money will be used towards hiring an additional staff member who will work towards broadening the Mill's visitor demographics.
Additionally, the grant facilitates further enhancement to the site such as the addition of a new gate to the Miller's Garden from the River Lim footpath, various new metalwork, a door to welcome visitors to the shop and mill and an improved and more interactive exhibit about the Mill's history and its role within the Lyme Regis community.
Green initiatives such as the installation of solar panels and new lighting will help fulfil the Mill’s future environmental and sustainability commitments.
The Town Mill Trust heartily welcomes volunteers.
Special mention was made of the thriving community of volunteers, millers, engineers, flour baggers, shop helpers and gardeners, who have contributed immensely to the life and vitality of the Mill.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here