Adhan Group acquires Blackburn’s India Mill 

Property business, the Adhan Group, has acquired Graham & Brown’s former 5.5-acre manufacturing plant in the centre of Blackburn for an undisclosed sum.

The Adhan Group, which is also headquartered in Blackburn, has grown to become one of the region’s largest lettings and sales companies, and is one of the most active buyers of commercial property in the North, having recently added over 4 million sq ft of industrial, commercial and office space to its property portfolio. 

Already operating in Cheshire, Wirral, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Lancashire and North Wales, it is rapidly expanding its portfolio into the Midlands and all areas in the South.

India Mill, a modern self-contained manufacturing facility, is located on the established Furthergate Business Park and a mile from junction 6 of the M65 and of Blackburn town centre.  The site will continue to operate as a manufacturing and distribution centre. 

Chris Henderson of Adhan Group commented on the acquisition: “ The addition of this central, self-contained site at the heart of Blackburn is a welcome addition to our portfolio. Rental interest is always strong for these type of sites and we hope to have a new tenant in situ shortly with the site continuing to contribute significant employment to the locality.”

Graham & Brown announced the sale of India Mill in late 2023, and it is evolving into a design-led, brand-led, digital business. The company has opened its new digital “factory of the future” at Shuttleworth Mead, Padiham, where it is producing high-quality, design-led, environmentally friendly wallpapers, murals, and wall art. The factory runs on renewable electricity, is carbon neutral, and is the leading digital factory in the industry.

Limitless Public Relations’ client, Napthens Solicitors, advised Graham & Brown on the sale of the property. Partner David Hill added: “India Mill is an excellent addition to the Adhan Group’s property portfolio. The site is impressive and will provide a range of companies with the perfect location from which to operate and grow their businesses.”

Commercial property consultants Trevor Dawson were agents for the site. Director Jason Rawson advised on the sale, concluding: “We were delighted to assist our long-standing client, Graham and Brown, with their successful journey into the digital era by bringing forward the disposal of the 5.50-acre India Mill site to the Adhan Group. This is a strategic site for manufacturing and distribution in Blackburn, which was reflected in the extensive interest we obtained from Investors, developers, owner occupiers and prospective tenants. 

“We are pleased to have been retained as letting agents moving forward and can now offer the site as a whole or piecemeal basis to potential tenants on favourable terms.”