Built in the 1930s to replace earlier granaries and mills, the Millennium Mills were one of the largest (flour) mill complexes ever to be built in London. Industry in the docklands area of London began to decline in the 1980s, however, and this complex of reinforced concrete granaries finally succumbed in 1992 when Spillers Milling Limited moved out, transferring staff and production to their mill at Tilbury Docks.
Since then the building has made frequent appearances on television, recent examples being in a trailer for the drama series Life on Mars, and as a backdrop for a Derren Brown programme featuring Robbie Williams.This building was also used in the opening series of Ashes to Ashes. Plus providing the backdrop for music videos by The Smiths, Orbital, Coldplay, Lamb, Arctic Monkeys to name but a few.
Offering 500,000 sq ft of space, the Mills are being restored to retain its art deco frontage & high ceilings and plans to offer space for businesses, start ups, restaurants and bars.The land around the Mills will provide for 3,000 new homes, new squares and gardens and a new pedestrian bridge across the dock. They may also enjoy the more dubious benefit of aircraft noise from the adjacent London City Airport.
