Operators of a historic Nottingham building have cautioned that their finances have become precarious and outside help will be required to keep functioning while essential restoration takes place. The £760,000 renovation effort at Green’s Windmill in Sneinton got underway in November 2025, with completion expected by the following Easter, though those responsible for the site describe their current circumstances as difficult. The mill was erected in 1807 by a local baker called Green, and at that period it was Nottingham’s biggest and most functional windmill. Following his passing, it passed to his son George Green, who would later become known as an innovative mathematician whom Albert Einstein characterized as being twenty years ahead of his time. The windmill ceased operating in 1862, leaving the location empty until 1919, and another stretch of neglect occurred between 1947 and 1979 after a major fire broke out. Nottingham City Council now owns the premises, and since 2012 the Green’s Windmill Trust has run the location, overseeing both the mill itself and the science centre devoted to exploring George Green’s work and legacy. The sails were removed in 2022 because their condition had deteriorated, and the renovation programme beginning in November 2025 will see them completely rebuilt. However, because of the scope of these works, the entire windmill remains out of bounds to members of the public and staff throughout the restoration period. Trustees advise that the closure has created an unavoidable fall in visitor numbers, which poses a significant financial challenge given that the trust needs £1,000 every week to sustain its activities. This has grown increasingly tough with fewer people visiting, and the latest statement from Green’s Windmill Trust indicated that while staff look forward to seeing the sails turn once again, the current repair work has inevitably led to a reduction in the number of people visiting. This has had a negative effect on income. Added to that, a rise in the costs of everything means that finances are in a precarious position. Denny Plowman, the treasurer and trustee, told Nottinghamshire Live that costs are going up eye-wateringly, even with things like grant funding and the cost of applications. Of course, charities are all chasing the same pots of money, so it is difficult times. The trust has been here for 14 years and finances have gone up and gone down, it is quite erratic. Just at the moment, they are in a little bit of a downturn. Heritage officer Jamie Duff remarked that he thinks they always expected to see a decline in footfall inevitably because the windmill is closed, but they wanted to keep the rest of the site open for the community and the wider Nottingham area. They still have the education side of the science centre, they have had quite a few school groups visit, they still have a programme of events and the community garden is open and it is so important to have green spaces like that, especially in Sneinton. But the flipside is that they have had reduced visitors and that inevitably affects the finances, so they are getting to a point where it is becoming really difficult. Wellwishers can offer assistance during the renovation by visiting the award-winning community garden or science centre, as well as by joining in with the calendar of events planned throughout the year. Scheduled happenings include a park picnic on July 12 and the annual summer community fun day at Green’s Mill featuring live acoustic music and children’s entertainment. People may also become members of the trust for £30 per year or make one-off contributions through the provided link. Mr Duff indicates the trust may need to rely more heavily on public support than is typically the case during this period. Obtaining enough assistance to stay afloat would allow visitors to once more enter the historic windmill, with Mr Plowman adding that they are really excited about getting the windmill going again. Because of the nature of the work, the windmill is closed off even to them, so they are desperate to have a look inside.
This is a digital representation, not a photograph.
