A leading Cumbrian project management and engineering firm has relocated to the county’s newest commercial development at the site of the former Kangol Factory, in Cleator.

React Engineering’s team officially moved into the Flax Works on January 26, following a 18 month project to restore the historic West Cumbrian industrial building. The premises was originally built as a flax mill in the 1830s before becoming the factory for hat maker Kangol, one of Cumbria’s best-known fashion brands. 

However, it fell into disrepair after the company closed in 2009. React has been working with Genr8 North, based in Carlisle, to redevelop the Flax Works into open plan offices for its 60 staff. The company also has a satellite office in Warrington. Founded over 30 years ago, React provides engineering and project management consultancy to clients across the UK, particularly in the nuclear sector.

Managing Director Phil Redfern said: “Genr8 North have done a fantastic job of creating modern, spacious offices, while respecting the iconic nature of this building and its importance in West Cumbria’s industrial history. “After years of neglect, the site has been given a new lease of life and a bright future, providing a location for us to anchor ourselves in the area for the long-term but also with the capacity to continue to grow and develop the business. It is so exciting to finally have offices which allow us to work in a collaborative, flexible
manner, while also remaining close to our clients, partners and community. This whole project, which has been privately funded, is a testament to the power of businesses to drive change which benefits them, but also the economy and community more widely.”

React will be joined in the new premises by specialist project management consultancy Prima Uno and quantity surveyor recruitment specialist Clearnorth. TEGRetail is due to open a cafe at the site in the coming months. Mark Walker, director of Genr8 North, said: “As someone who was born and raised in the local area, I feel very proud to see the Flax Works being given the second chance which, sadly, many former industrial sites do not get. This is the beginning of a new chapter in which the mill will play a living, working part in the life and economy of West Cumbria once more, symbolising the huge potential the region has as a whole.”

Davin Dhillon, founder of Clearnorth, said he and his team of 11 employees are excited to continue growing in the Flax Works, after relocating from Westlakes Science Park. Clearnorth helps businesses build and strengthen teams of quantity surveyors, the most in-demand job in construction and engineering.

He said: “As a company which is rooted in West Cumbria and with all of our employees from the local area, the project reflects our ethos of optimism, investment in the future and commitment to playing an important part in seeing the local economy and people thrive and prosper.”