About Us

"Thank you for your interest in Fisherton Mill. Whether you come as an art enthusiast, passing tourist or regular visitor to our Gallery, Café and Studios, we look forward to welcoming you as our special guest!"  Deborah and Michael Fox

This beautiful and historic Victorian grain mill, built in 1880 and beautifully restored over the past 20 years, provides a fantastic atmosphere for enjoyable and relaxing art viewing, shopping and dining - and all just steps away from the high-street crush!

Fisherton Mill's fascinating history

Fisherton Mill's historic legacy goes all the way back to 1880, when it was built as a grain mill for William Main & Sons Ltd. Even today, the Mill's high beamed ceilings, original cast-iron pillars, track markings on the wooden floors and fine old pieces of machinery stand testament to its proud heritage as a working building.

William Main had the Mill built on Fisherton Street to be conveniently situated on the Market House railway siding from the station to the Market House in the city. The Mill had several functions which included the bulk cleaning of seeds, corn and crushing of other grains together with supplying the company's shop in Salisbury’s market square with smaller retail size quantities of animal feed, seeds and fertilisers. These goods were transported by horse and cart. The stables in the courtyard are now Fisherton Mill’s thriving studios housing independent businesses.

As the building was passed down through the Main family, social change made its mark. When William Main died, the business was inherited by his son, Leonard. During Leonard’s tenure the business was interrupted from 1914 to 1918 when the mill was requisitioned by the War Department as bonded warehousing for the Australian Army. The business flourished from 1920 through to 1950, but when Leonard’s son, Ronald, took over in the 1960s, mechanisation and great changes to farming methods forced the family to diversify into horticulture. By 1984 the decision was taken to close the business.

During the next ten years, other than a brief period as a carpet warehouse and even an illegal rave venue, the building was predominantly out of use. By the end of 1993 it became obvious that major work was required to save it from dereliction. Leonard Main, together with his brother Michael, both the great grandsons of the original founder, produced a plan to revitalise the building, renovating it for its new role as a gallery, and opening the following year to great acclaim.

The current owners, Michael and Deborah Fox, successfully established the Gallery Café at Fisherton Mill in 1995, before going on to acquire the whole property in 2005. Under the Foxes, Fisherton Mill has become one of Salisbury's most successful small businesses, representing one of the largest independent arts organisations in the South West with a Gift Shop, Café, fifteen Artists' Studios and an Exhibition Space.

In 2011 the Foxes re-named the atmospheric exhibition space on the first floor (previously known as the Beams Gallery) to "The Main Gallery" to recognise and honour the Main family and their history. The Main Gallery is dedicated to the display of three-dimensional art and wall art and is available to hire. The Mill also hosts a varied annual programme of arts and crafts workshops.

The Café and Gallery have been the recipient of many prestigious awards and as one of only a few historical industrial buildings left standing in Salisbury's medieval city centre, Fisherton Mill remains an important part of this beautiful city's heritage.

LEGAL STATUS

The Gallery Fisherton Mill Ltd t/a The Gallery
Registered Office = 35 Chequers Court, Brown Street, Salisbury SP1 2AS
Company No. 10494360
Telephone – 01722 500200

The Gallery Café
Proprietor Michael Fox
108 Fisherton Street, Salisbury SP2 7QY
Telephone – 01722 500200