Assessing Industrial Heritage Through Collaborative Counter-Mapping: A Case Study of Salts Mill, UK

The decline of Britain’s traditional manufacturing economy has resulted in an increase in abandoned factories and industrial structures, signifying a crucial turning point for local communities historically anchored in these industries. This research centres on the Salts Mill complex, a former textile factory that has undergone a remarkable transformation into a versatile space in the heart of Saltaire Village in Shipley, West Yorkshire, England. It delves into the revitalisation of Salts Mill, focusing on the intersection of industry and art. This approach uniquely highlights the socio-cultural and intangible elements embedded in the regeneration process, exploring strategies crafted to inject vitality into local communities intricately connected to this industrial site. Counter-mapping served as the primary participatory method, allowing insights from both rational observers (experts) and the involved users (local communities) to be integrated into three main areas of inquiry: the embodied experiences of Salts Mill, the essence of the locale as reflected in the building, and the everyday life interactions facilitated by arts-led regeneration. The authors argue that these components are indispensable for achieving comprehensive understandings and insights crucial to pioneering research on industrial heritage buildings. Moreover, reimagining the transformation of old factory structures through innovative arts-led initiatives can significantly bolster long-term sustainability and nurture resilient community development. This highlights the importance of prioritising community and broader context over merely focusing on the assessment and conservation of collections and buildings within post-industrial cities and towns.