The man who locked up the JN Miller Ltd Steam Mill for the last time has welcomed the progress of the Wolverhampton Interchange project after taking a trip down memory lane. Norman Holding, aged 71, joined the Corn Hill-based company in 1960 after leaving school and worked his way up to become General Manager and a board Director.
In September 1991 he turned the key in the door for the final time as he walked out with the administrators when the company closed.The council recently invited Norman down to the site of the former Steam Mill, where Councillor Peter Bilson, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for City Assets, presented him with some bricks from the building and a copy of a document detailing its history.
Demolition of the mill is progressing well as the next phase in the multi-million Interchange scheme. It will pave the way for the start of the extension and refurbishment of Wolverhampton’s railway station multi-storey car park in January. Norman, who is born and bred in Wolverhampton, said: “It was nice to be standing on the ground again looking at the old place.
“And I am thrilled the council allowed me to make the visit and presented me with some memorabilia, which I will treasure. “The building all looks a bit different to how I left it all those years ago – but it’s nice to see things moving on in Wolverhampton.
“It is a great place to live and always has been.” Councillor Bilson added: “I’m delighted we could help with Norman’s request to take a look at the old Steam Mill one last time and collect some memorabilia.
“It was great to meet him. He had some fantastic stories to tell about his days at JN Miller. “He has lived in Wolverhampton for the majority of his life and it was very interesting to hear his views on the Interchange works.”
