Museums, galleries and charities

The House Mill

The House Mill is a grade 1 listed 18th century tidal mill, set in a beautiful riverside location in the heart of London’s East End.  Dating from 1776, it is the largest surviving tidal mill in the world and an important survivor of the early industrial revolution.

Today, the House Mill is owned, managed and cared for by a charity, the House Mill Trust, established to rescue and restore this significant part of our heritage and enable members of the public to learn about our industrial past through visits and special events.    The Trust originally rescued the House Mill from demolition in the 1970’s and undertook its restoration from dereliction in the 1990’s, at the same time commissioning the adjoining Miller’s House to be rebuilt.

Although the fabric of the House Mill itself has been restored, the site remains on the Historic England At Risk Register, with the following entry, largely relating to the unique, but vandalised, heritage machinery:

millhouse before

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“Tide Mill dating from 1776 and last used in 1941. Much of the building fabric has been repaired, but work is needed to the undershot water wheels and surviving machinery. The House Mill Trust continues to work towards a sustainable strategy for repair of machinery, along with improvements to education and community facilities.”

The charity benefits from the support of a team of wonderful volunteers, who ensure that visitors receive a warm welcome.  This includes a volunteer run café which operates in the adjoining Miller’s House.

The House Mill can be booked as a venue for special events and film locations.  Income generated through these activities is used to cover the annual running costs of both buildings.

In 2016, the Trustees invited Smith Greenfield to undertake a review of the House Mill’s current insurance cover and risk management position.  With complex insurance needs, it became clear that much greater levels of insurance were required to truly protect the buildings, their contents, volunteers, employees and visitors.   The existing insurer was unable to support any changes to the policy and in 2017, Smith Greenfield was asked to tender for the business.

Smith Greenfield knew that the insurance needs of the world’s largest surviving tidal mill would require the expertise of Ecclesiastical, insurer of many of the UK’s most historic landmarks.

Working with Ecclesiastical, Smith Greenfield established accurate valuations of the buildings’ re-build costs, vital for heritage properties, and reviewed the fire and flood risks for the properties.  With this knowledge, Ecclesiastical was able to write a bespoke policy that offered higher, more appropriate cover for the Trust while achieving savings of 40% for the charity.

Flood Risk

Smith Greenfield’s relationship with Ecclesiastical and its experience in insuring heritage buildings meant the company was able to negotiate more preferential terms for the Trust and help insure the usually uninsurable.   For example, when looking at the flood risk associated with the House Mill, Smith Greenfield knew no standard policy would offer sufficient insurance. Only a specialist insurer would take the time to measure the real risk.

Fire Protection

Smith Greenfield was instrumental in making sure the House Mill had full fire cover.  Monitored fire protection was a condition of the policy and essential due to the historical significance and construction of the buildings.  Smith Greenfield worked with the Trust to ensure that monitored protection was achieved by finding the right supplier to install and maintain up-to-date equipment in the buildings. The cost of risk improvements not only helped reduce the overall premium, but cost even less than the amount of premium saved.

Commercial Interests

The House Mill Trust has grown its income generating activities over the past few years and Smith Greenfield wanted to ensure they were fully covered for today’s operations.  It not only assisted the client in gaining more appropriate Trustee liability cover, but revised cover, in-step with new initiatives.

Smith Greenfield are covering:

  • The Trust as landlords
  • The Trust as owners and operators of the cafe
  • Additional insurance accommodating special events and the property being used for filming
  • Any loss of income due to unexpected business interruption and events
  • Employers' Liability Insurance for any paid staff and volunteers. The House Mill has the same responsibility for volunteers as employees

The House Mill Trustee for Operations, Beverley Charters, says;  “Smith Greenfield has worked very hard for the Trust.  Our client adviser has taken the time and trouble to really look at what we need and found an insurer who understands the complex requirements of a charity likes ours, with unique listed buildings, public access and flood risk.  It has also achieved this at a competitive cost, which is important for a charity.”

“We now feel that should something go wrong, not only are we covered to ensure the appropriate funds to pay for any damage, but we have Smith Greenfield’s support and contacts in finding the right professionals to put things right, even from restorers to lawyers.  We enjoy continuing to work with them as the Trust evolves, and our further restoration project moves forward.”