THE owner of a corn mill once sketched by landscape artist JMW Turner says he has been served with a repossession order because of missed mortgage payments.
Michael Kilgannon and partner Siân Partington will be made homeless at 12.30pm next Tuesday if the order on Rossett Mill is successful.
And Mr Kilgannon fears what will happen to the mill, dating from 1250, which opens to the public at weekends and still produces wholemeal flour for sale.
However, the Irishman, who bought the mill in 1973 when it was derelict, hopes to avoid the bailiffs knocking on his door after ‘dear friends’ came up with £35,000 at the 11th hour.
The money means he can secure a court hearing where he hopes the judge will grant him a stay of execution.
Mr Kilgannon, 67, said: “It will be a good fight until the last, having spent all my money and all my time and 40 odd years of my life there.”
Although he is struggling to pay the £3,800 monthly mortgage, Mr Kilgannon remains positive, asserting: “We will save it.”
Mr Kilgannon, who says he can’t access a penny in grants, borrowed £850,000 to renovate the Grade II* listed mill and construct outbuildings.
“I’ve got behind on my mortgage, that’s all,” said Mr Kilgannon, who has no argument with the finance company but could do with more time.
He runs a separate antiques restoration business at Guy Lane, Waverton, employing five people, and is holding a large sale in June which he hopes will be a great success.
Over the years, he has supplied many local pubs and restaurants with antique furniture.
Rossett Mill is open to the public over the Easter weekend. Admission is £3 for adults and free for children.
