The historic site, which has featured on the Bathurst landscape since 1859, was sold earlier this month for an undisclosed sum.

The mill complex includes a four-storey industrial building, grain silos and associated structures, the Victoria Stores and the area that contains Bedwells Feed Barn.

Measuring a significant 8522 square metres, with three street frontages – Havannah, Keppel and Manilla streets – the mill currently houses 20 tenants. 

New owners Stephen and Glenda Birrell have grand plans for the site to become a meeting place for people among the mill’s historic buildings.

“It’s a significant site. What we’d like to see here is a pedestrian precinct where the mill is operational,” Mr Birrell. “We see some nice coffee shops, antique shops, bars and restaurant, there’ll be grassed areas and landscaping.

“This end of Keppel Street is beautiful ... there isn’t a precinct in town like this that attracts people ... we’ve got some exciting ideas.

“We’ll be keeping the main components of the mill and the sites and the streetscapes.”

Mr Birrell has owned a mining services business for the last 20 years and said the recent sale of his business gave him and wife Glenda the opportunity to look at a local investment in Tremain’s Mill.

The couple has hired a heritage architect who will work to identify historically significant areas within the mill and start to plan for its next stage in life.

Such is the couple’s intention to preserve the mill’s historical aspects that they have met with local heritage groups to discuss plans for the future.

“It’s an important part of the streetscape and important monument,” Mr Birrell said.

For the mill’s current tenants, Mr Birrell said he will work to ensure “some level of certainty” and said Bedwells will be “important part of going forward”.

For parents with children at Keppel Street Kindy, Mr Birrell reassured them that the kindergarten had a lease until the year 2022.

News that the mill was up for sale led to an outpouring of concern from local heritage groups keen to preserve the historic building.

But now Heritage Network convener Sandy Bathgate says the iconic mill has been sold to the right owner.

“In this case we’ve got a fantastic outcome, Bathurst has got a fantastic outcome,” he said.

Mr Bathgate said they have been working to promote adaptive reuse of the mill since news broke it was up for sale.