Islington Mill

Islington Mill is the beating heart of Salford’s underground arts scene. Housed in a sprawling former cotton mill just off Chapel Street, it’s a community of studios, galleries and performance spaces that’s been home to thousands of artists, musicians and cultural rebels over the past two decades.

Founded by Bill Campbell, the Mill is proudly DIY and unapologetically inclusive. It’s a haven for experimental and LGBTQ+ artists, the kind of place where a drag night, queer film screening and noise art performance might all happen in the same week. Its legendary courtyard parties and collaborations with Partisan Collective, Outspoken and Sounds from the Other City have made it a safe space for creative freedom and queer joy.

Inside, the vibe is pure Salford, rough around the edges but full of warmth, colour and collaboration. The cafe bar serves local beer and vegan food, the walls are covered in ever changing murals, and the staff and residents are famously friendly. There’s a sense of belonging that transcends labels, everyone’s welcome, and everyone’s part of the story.

After years of grassroots fundraising and regeneration, the Mill now includes new studios and public spaces designed with accessibility in mind. It’s more than a venue, it’s a movement, proving that culture thrives when communities build it together.