FORMER Leigh MP Jo Platt has been named as the first general manager of the Leigh Spinners Mill project.

The Journal reported in April when the Leigh Building Preservation Trust was awarded funding from the National Lottery Community Fund of £180,500 for two years to develop the project.

The Trust has been able to recruit its first general manager and has announced that Jo Platt will take up the role.

She was appointed after a rigorous selection process which saw more than 40 applications for the position.

The Community Fund project has enabled the Trust to undertake a series of improvements to the site's reception, to the doors on to each floor, to improve disabled access and the fire alarm system.

The Trust says the appointment will enable a much stronger management team to operate the mill and to develop services and introduce new ideas.

Leigh Journal:

Peter Rowlinson chair of Leigh Building Preservation Trust, said: "This is great news for the mill. Jo was selected from a number of high quality candidates and we were impressed not only by her long standing support for the project and the community in Leigh but her previous experience as a company secretary, in marketing and business development all of which is needed for the development of the mill.

"It gives us the opportunity to develop our services to key groups and to raise the profile of this key project for the future of Leigh."

On her appointment, Jo said: "I am absolutely thrilled to be working alongside Leigh Preservation Trust and tenants at Leigh Spinners Mill. There is already the basis of activity at the mill, with some amazing businesses and community organisations.

"It will be vital for Leigh, in a post-COVID landscape, to be able to give companies the space and opportunity to flourish.

"To do so in such an iconic building, with a rich local history will secure the future of the building in the next stage of its journey."