Dean Clough & Mer Install EV Infrastructure at Heritage Site

In the heart of Halifax stands Dean Clough Mills, a Victorian-era industrial complex that once housed the world's largest carpet manufacturer. Today, the Grade II-listed site has embraced a sustainable future while honouring its historic past. The recent installation of ultra-rapid EV charging infrastructure demonstrates how heritage buildings can successfully adapt to modern needs while maintaining their character and charm. The collaboration between Dean Clough Ltd and EV charging provider Mer represents a forward-thinking approach to sustainability that delivers benefits far beyond simply powering vehicles.

Balancing heritage with innovation

Dean Clough's commitment to sustainability is deeply rooted in its philosophy of reuse and regeneration. "One of the founding principles at Dean Clough is about reuse and especially the value of reuse in terms of the carbon benefits," explains Jeremy Hall, Chairman and Managing Director at Dean Clough Ltd. "We have a wonderful asset in the shape of these magnificent buildings that we've been given an opportunity to reuse and make them relevant and vibrant for the community we live and work in."

Despite the buildings' 150-year history, the site has continuously evolved to meet contemporary needs. When Alex Hinchcliffe, UK Managing Director at Mer, approached Dean Clough with a proposal to install EV chargers, Jeremy recalls, "We grabbed it with both hands because our ethos is very much about the forward-looking element of the site and its amenities."

A strategic location for EV infrastructure

Dean Clough's unique characteristics make it particularly well-suited for EV charging infrastructure. Alex, who lives near the 22-acre mixed-use site, recognises its unique qualities: "What really put Dean Clough on the map as a location for EV charge points was its diversity in terms of demographics and amenities. It's got its own micro population of workplace, retail, food and beverage, gym and fitness and hotel accommodation."

The surrounding area's housing landscape was crucial in the decision-making process. With a high density of terraced housing in Calderdale offering limited opportunities for home charging installations, public charging facilities become essential. Mer's eight ultra-fast charge points more than doubled the region's existing EV infrastructure.

"I believe it could be a gateway to transition," says Alex. "When we put chargers centrally into an environment where they become accessible to residents, it removes the barriers to owning an EV. It has the beneficial impact of stimulating visitors to the shops, cafes, businesses and all the other amenities on a commercial site."

The synergy between the two organisations has created a powerful partnership. "Dean Clough and Mer coming together really was a match made in heaven," Alex notes.

Navigating installation challenges

The implementation process presented unique challenges due to the site's heritage status. "We had to build a brick-built substation in keeping with the local surroundings," explains Alex. "We had to make sure that we didn't create an eyesore and that we tried to be as in keeping with the historic background as possible, while creating this modern infrastructure."

Construction revealed unexpected complications. "When we started to dig on the site, the surveys and radar hadn't picked up underground potholes, culverts and all sorts of structural challenges," Alex recalls.

For Jeremy, these obstacles ultimately strengthened the relationship between the partners: "Precisely because it's not been a straightforward process, it demonstrates people's tenacity and their resilience to see something through and that builds trust."

Exceeding expectations with impressive results

The charging stations' success has surpassed all expectations, with utilisation rates soaring immediately after installation. The site quickly became one of the top five highest-performing locations in the Mer network.

The statistics tell a remarkable story. Within two months of operation, the charging stations have powered enough e-miles to drive more than three times around the Earth's circumference. That's equivalent to driving the full length of the UK 100 times or from London to Dean Clough 415 times.

On a typical day, seven of the eight bays are regularly occupied, showing the significant pent-up demand in the area. They provide enough charge for around 2,500km of EV driving – every day.

For Jeremy, the beauty is that "we don’t have to persuade people to use the chargers. We just have to make sure people know the facility is there, because there are lots of people who want to use it."

Creating a hub of benefits

The charging infrastructure has generated positive impacts that extend far beyond providing power for vehicles. "It's great for the three and a half thousand people who work on the site," Jeremy explains. "It's also great for our food and beverage outlets because someone thinking 'I need to charge my car' can either sit in their car or get out and enjoy a coffee in a nice cafe."

Tenant businesses at Dean Clough have also benefited from the new amenity. According to Alex, one senior manager commuting from Cambridge multiple times weekly was "delighted to be able to just pull up on site, outside the office and plug in. "

Inclusivity and safety were paramount considerations in the design and implementation. "All the car parks have got the Park Safe award," Jeremy notes. "Providing an inclusive and safe-feeling environment is massively important for us."

The broader community of Calderdale stands to benefit as the chargers facilitate EV transition for commercial fleets and taxis. With bays large enough to accommodate light commercial vehicles, the infrastructure supports businesses operating in the Bradford Clean Air Zone. Alex explains, "This will have the knock-on effect of supporting the local environment by allowing businesses to drive their EVs in the Bradford Clean Air Zone and drive down emissions."

By design, the installation was designed with future growth in mind; expansion will be data-driven. "We thought we had future-proofed eight bays, probably more than was needed locally," Alex explains. We will be monitoring the usage. If we start to see that six or seven bays are in regular occupancy, around 20-25% utilisation, then that gives us a use case to expand."

Enhancing community engagement

The charging stations complement Dean Clough's role as a vibrant community hub. "It's a highly visible hub in a really busy site," Jeremy says. "People attending events like our monthly Artisan Market will be parking in the vicinity of the chargers, so they see that there's EV charging available."

Major events like Calderdale Pride, which typically attracts 25,000 visitors, continue to grow awareness of the charging facilities throughout the region.

Jeremy's advice for commercial property owners considering similar installations is refreshingly straightforward: "Embrace it and celebrate it."

Dean Clough Mills is a compelling example of how historic buildings can successfully integrate modern, sustainable technologies without compromising their architectural integrity. The partnership between Dean Clough Ltd and Mer demonstrates that EV charging infrastructure can deliver multiple benefits: supporting local businesses, enhancing visitor experiences, encouraging EV adoption and contributing to environmental goals.

As the UK transitions toward electric mobility, sites like Dean Clough provide a blueprint for successfully balancing heritage preservation with forward-looking innovation. The project shows that with vision, collaboration and perseverance, historic buildings can survive and thrive as beacons of sustainability in the 21st century.

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