Ever wondered how historic sites stay relevant in our fast-changing world? 🌍 Historic England's policy director Charles Smith gave NewspaperAmigo.com an exclusive look at their \"adaptive reuse\" strategy during a tour of a 19th-century cotton mill undergoing a glow-up. 🔄
From Industrial Roots to Modern Revival
\"We’re not museum curators – we’re storytellers with power tools,\" Smith joked as construction buzzed around the Manchester-area mill. The site will soon house tech startups alongside original spinning machinery – think exposed brick meets fiberoptic cables. 🧵➡️💻
Why Heritage Matters Now More Than Ever
Smith emphasized three key points for young global readers:
🛠️ 70% of UK regeneration projects now blend old & new structures
💼 Creates 2x more jobs than conventional construction
🌱 Reusing buildings cuts carbon emissions by 60% vs demolition
Next time you snap an Instagrammable factory-turned-café ☕, remember: that latte art sits on 200 years of history! 📸
