TWELVE jobs have been created with the opening of a factory shop at a Bury landmark building.

The launch of retailer Ena at the century-old Pilot Mill represents the latest outlet store for the Atherton-based Ena Mill company.

The owners chose the Pilot Mill site, in Alfred Street, ahead of three North West locations on their shortlist.

It was announced last month that Baum Trading had acquired the site — the former home of luggage firm Antler — for almost £1 million.

Baum is owned by managing director David Weidenbaum and co-director Nandas Varsani. Non-executive director is David’s father, Peter.

The agreement between Ena Mill owners Simon Yates and Jonathan Addis and Baum Trading represents a change in fortune for the famous building less than a year after Antler closed its head office with the loss of 46 jobs.

Ena’s new shop, which focuses on well-known fashion brands and homeware, is based on the mill’s ground floor which has undergone a £150,000 transformation.

Mr Addis said: “It had to be Bury. This is an incredible opportunity for us. We had a few other potential venues that were interesting us.

“But the vision which David, Nandas and Peter at Baum Trading shared with us made the site a natural choice.”

Before Baum stepped in to acquire the five-storey Pilot Mill, there were fears that the 240,000 sq ft building would be demolished to make way for residential development.

Three years ago, the future of another iconic mill, Ena Mill, in Atherton was also in jeopardy until Simon and Jonathan revitalised it as a retail destination.

Ena Mill now attracts up to 10,000 customers a week .

Mr Yates said: “Three years on, the circumstances here at Pilot Mill are almost identical. It is plainly a building which enjoys great affection amongst people in Bury. We are here to play our part in helping to create the proud future it deserves.”

The building will ultimately create 100 jobs as it undergoes a new lease of life, including the planned development of eight starter units for fledgling businesses.

Baum has said that it will invest a further £700,000 as it plans to return the mill to its former glory.

  • Readers can visit Ena Mill for a preview evening tonight between 6pm and 9pm. For an invitation, go to enamill.co.uk/bury-vip