Sabden Mill gets a new lease of life

DAC Limited - which makes vandal-proof and weatherproof phones for use on the railway, police stations, ships, tunnels, and other remote locations - purchased Union Mill after outgrowing its Lomeshaye Industrial Estate home.

Hoping to completed refurbishment of the building - which has been used by Pendle Antiques for the last 30 years - by early Spring, the company's new premises will allow it to increase phone production and continue to export across the world.

Andrew Faulkner, director of DAC, said: “We’re investing a significant sum of money in the building to create a new production area, improve the office space, and upgrade the infrastructure, such as the electrics.

“The move gives us a larger and nicer environment in which to expand our operations," he added. "There are seven of us in the business and we’re hoping to take on two more staff to meet new business growth.

“The additional space means we are also going to be leasing parts of the building, so we can make it a real hub for small businesses in the area. After renting for 10 years, it’s nice to actually own the building – it gives us great flexibility as a business,” he finished.

Nicola Beneduce, a property lawyer at Clitheroe's Harrison Drury solicitors, said: “This is an iconic building in Sabden and its great to see it beginning another exciting chapter in its history. The new premises put the business in control and will allow it to reach its potential for further growth.”

DAC Limited, formed in 2006, supplies major companies in the rail sector, including Network Rail, Bombardier, TFL-London Underground, and Virgin Trains, as well as police forces at home and abroad, tunnel operators, shipping companies, and caravan park operators.