A family who run a joinery firm are breathing life back into a forgotten silk mill.

Brunswick Mill on Lowe Street was founded in around 1860, one of the mills to be part of Macclesfield’s bustling silk industry at the time.

The building later became home to metal fabricators ER Burgess which made items including bread tins for 20 years, until around 18 months ago. But it has been empty since the company moved out.

Now a family which runs joinery company Atelier, in Langley, is bringing the mill back to life by moving into the building.

It’s a success story for David Albiston and sons Richard and Simon who are moving their firm into the premises to expand their business - and employ more Macclesfield people.

They have been carrying out work since getting hold of the keys to the 10,000 sq ft of space over three storeys to adapt it for their work, which involves making bespoke furniture for private customers, architects and businesses.

Simon, 30, who works as the finance manager for the family firm, said: “We have been looking to move from our existing site at Langley Business Park and buy bigger premises in the area due to the growth of our business.

“We wanted to stay local but it’ been difficult to find something because we didn’t just want to move anywhere, we wanted somewhere with character and history so this is great. It has ticked all the boxes.

“The mill has been empty for some time and needs a lot of work but we’re excited about the move.

“We have stripped back the building to a shell and have been working hard on it, installing the wood working machinery we need, with a view to moving in late January.

“We are bringing the empty mill from the 1800s back to life and creating more jobs in the area.”

Brunswick Mill in Macclesfield, been taken over by David, Simon and Richard Albiston who run Atelier joinery firm

Dad David, who is married to Ruth and lives in Rainow, has worked in carpentry for many years and used to run a firm in Stockport.

Son Richard, 32, is married to Jo and they have a baby daughter. The brothers have another brother Matthew.

Simon said: “We really are a family business.

“The mill has a really interesting history with old log books and journals from the silk weavers when it was a silk mill.

“The old silk mills are so important to Macclesfield and we hope to bring it to life for the next 100 years.”