Page 44 - Real Rochdale Issue 13 Spring 2022

ALBERT
• Artisan Crafts
All about woodworking skills.
• Avocet Upholstery
Avocet makes fabric/leather interiors for
motorhomes, caravans and barges, etc.
• Best Buy Bathrooms
Large selection of bathrooms on display in
one of the ground floor units.
• CrafT’s
Four friends pooling talents and creating
unique pieces, plus community workshops.
• Dafox Designs
Creative design and printing services to
enhance your corporate image.
• Esmae Lewis
Designer inspired home fragrances and
personalised gifts for all occasions.
• Glassy Birds
Fused glass workshops for all abilities, plus
bead making and other glass related crafts.
• Grid VR
Gaming of the future… become immersed in
the game with three unique experiences.
• Loud Studio
Dance, fitness workouts, pilates, drama,
street dance, mother and baby sessions,
with a soft play area.
• Maggie Jones Creativity Corner
Creative workshops, classes in making
jewellery and sewing skills.
MILL
• Northern Pie Company
A range of pies and pasties, plus catering pies
for any occasion.
• North West Woodwind Repair
High standard repairs from tiny adjustments to
overhauls. Brass repairs also undertaken.
• Photography By Karl
Professional but relaxed multi award-winning
portrait & wedding photographer.
• Ranger Motorhomes
Motorhome/campervan hire; two and four-
berth full spec vehicles to hire for all occasions.
• Tarn Candles
Hand-poured soy wax candles, melts and reed
diffusers with essential oils and reusable tins.
• Tarn Replenished
Eco refills of household products, toiletries and
skincare; local honey, coffee and more.
• Village Treasures
Extra space for one of the village’s charity shops
to help organise stock.
• War Office Games Supplies
Stocks a wide range of games, plus gaming
tables for you to bring your armies to battle.
• Yarn Barn
Wool and yarn shop with a wonderful selection
of yarns, patterns and knitting notions.
Photos: Photography by Karl
Albert Mill is a wonderland cornucopia of people
and businesses offering arts, crafts, shopping
and leisure experiences.
The former clothing mill in Milnrow centre is
bustling with a thriving community of
independents, providing everything from virtual
reality experiences photoshoots to glass-making
workshops and tabletop Warhammer gaming
and model painting.
A hugely successful open day last summer saw
hundreds explore the mill, enjoying crafting
taster sessions; seeing planned courses, classes
and workshops; and following a butterfly trail
around all the businesses to win fabulous prizes.
And for 2022, the independents are planning
even more open days and craft fairs –
although at the time of print, these are yet to
be determined.
Some of the quirkier and more unusual
businesses include professional instrument
repairs at North West Woodwind Repair, an
eco-friendly refill shop on the ground floor at
Tarn Replenished, which is transforming its
upper level into a community craft workshop
and studio for the public – think pottery classes,
candle making and hobbies of a similar ilk.
Children and adults of all ages can immerse
themselves in a virtual reality setting of their
choosing – or the bar! – at Grid VR, which
provides both walk-in sessions and private
bookings just round the corner from LOUD
Studios, which offers dancing, fitness and a
children’s play area.
Monthly craft workshops and a regular crochet
workshop run at Yarn Barn, which also hosts
frequent knit and natter groups. Fused glass
workshops and glass bead making for every
level take place at Glassy Birds.
For more information about the businesses
and open days, please visit the Facebook group
Albert Mill – Arts, Crafts & Leisure.