Derbyshire shopping destination 'closes for good' amid pandemic

Masson Mills Shopping Village in Matlock Bath closed in March when the coronavirus lockdown started.

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Now, Masson Mills has said in a Facebook post: “Bad news folks, Masson Mills Shopping Village has closed its doors for good after a wonderful 21 years of trading.”

The post went on to thank ‘our amazing staff past and present’ and ‘all our lovely customers’.

“Take care of yourselves and enjoy the memories,” it added.

It is understood the complex was run by the Edinburgh Woollen Mill Group, which filed a notice to appoint administrators earlier this month in response to ‘harsh trading conditions’ amid the coronavirus pandemic.

We contacted the Edinburgh Woollen Mill Group to ask for more information about the closure of the much-loved shopping destination – but had not received a response at the time of publication.

Commenting on the Facebook post, Vicky Larimore said: “How sad. I shall really miss this place. All the lovely staff.”

Martyn Lloyd said: “Really sad. Loved it there. Such a wonderful diverse shopping experience. Always went there when passing through and particularly for Xmas shopping. It’ll be sadly missed.”

According to its website, award-winning Masson Mills Shopping Village opened in 1999, employed more than 70 staff, offered shops set over five floors and boasted nearly 400,000 visitors a year.

“Masson Mills Shopping Village really is a unique shopping experience,” the website adds.

It was part of the Grade II-listed Masson Mill building, which was built by Sir Richard Arkwright in 1783 as a water-powered cotton spinning mill.

The whole complex falls under the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site.

A spokesperson for Derwent Valley Mills Partnership – which administers the heritage site – said they could not comment on the future of the building as it is privately-owned but added: “We will support the owners in any appropriate way we can in these difficult times.”

The spokesperson said a museum inside the building had been closed since lockdown in March and added that they were ‘monitoring the situation’.

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