Latest news with #HeritageLottery
BBC News
29-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Woolton Picture Hous: Plans to reopen Liverpool's oldest cinema revealed
Plans to reopen Liverpool's oldest cinema have been Picture House, which first opened its doors in December 1927, has been closed for the last five years since the Covid-19 Fearon and Gillian Miller, who run the Liverpool Royal Court theatre, said they hoped to raise the £700,000 needed to buy the building on Mason Street and redevelop it into a community venue "with a cinema at its heart"."It is Liverpool's oldest surviving cinema so we don't want to lose that," added Mr Fearon. He said he wanted local people to have their say about the future of the historic venue."Many people have memories of going there with family and friends to watch films so we need to bring that back," explained Mr Fearon."It's a great space in the heart of the community."It should be a shared vision."He said previous owners of the building had secured planning permission to transform the venue, including by adding a new roof and improving Fearon said £450,000 was needed to buy the building, with a further £250,000 required for refurbishment said he hoped a combination of public donations, fundraising efforts and Heritage Lottery funding would help him to realise his dream of reopening the cinema. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Staiths progress slow but steady, chiefs say
A partnership aimed at protecting a historical timber structure on the River Tyne is making progress despite frustrations over securing long-term funding, chiefs say. The Tyne & Wear Building Preservation Trust (TWBPT), which has responsibility for Grade II listed Dunston Staiths in Gateshead, teamed up with the National Trust (NT) in 2020. The structure is more than 130 years old and was previously used to load coal on to ships during north-east England's industrial heyday. It is hoped a soon-to-be submitted £4.5m bid for Heritage Lottery funding by Gateshead Council could help cover the cost of repairs to some sections. A public open day earlier this month had to be cancelled when damage was found to the decking, although a follow-up event went ahead after a "safe route" was identified for public access. TWBPT's deputy manager, Kari Vickers, said several steps forward had been taken since the tie up with NT. including the structure's inclusion in the Tyne Derwent Way nine-mile (14km) trail connecting historic sites along the river. A community hub has also been opened nearby and a car park for visitors is currently being constructed. "The major repairs we did to the west end of the staiths are now 10 years old," Ms Vickers said. "We've done minor repairs since then, but we'd not had any subsequent big pots of money and so that's why we set up the partnership with the National Trust and Gateshead Council to help look at a strategy. "Giving context to the staiths through the Tyne Derwent Way has massively changed things for the better, but then of course the funding that comes into that project is widely spread. "You're delivering while thinking about that next pot of money that you're having to chase. That's probably one of the things that's frustrating, but we're not unique. A lot of organisations are in that position. "We're all realistic about what we're tackling. We know this is a long-term thing. We know this is going to be decades rather than weeks." At more than 500m (1,650ft) in length, the staiths is reputedly the largest timber structure in Europe. It has survived repeated arson attacks, but a large section was torn away by a blaze in 2003. A £3 visitors' fee was introduced last year to help pay for its maintenance, although people with an NE8 or NE11 postcode are given free entry. Further suggestions for ways to generate income have included glamping pods and river tours. However, repairs to the structure need to be funded and finished before any of those suggestions can be brought in, Ms Vickers says. NT senior urban programme manager Helen Moir said the five years of the partnership have brought a new way of approaching "the stewardship" of the staiths and places like it. "Previously heritage restoration projects were very much 'done to' places. Moving forward, it's about how to we work with the people who live and work next to it. "We're at the beginning of the journey. We're all chomping at the bit to see more happen, but I do think we've learned together and developed together. "Now it's about how do we take it further. Whether it's heritage or nature, we know we can't do it alone." For its part, Gateshead Council is confident the structure is in safe hands. Councillor John McElroy said: "Dunston Staiths is a real symbol of Tyneside and of its links with the coal industry and even the National Garden Festival in 1990 [staged on adjacent land]. "It also provides a real centrepiece for that part of the Tyne Derwent Way and hopefully the bid for £4.5m will see further progress. "A lot has been done, but there's still more to do". Ms Vickers, meanwhile, remains determined: "We won't give up" "Our core business is doing up old buildings, but when something is built for a specific purpose like the staiths, having a re-use that creates an income is difficult. "Covid knocked us back, even with things like attracting volunteers. "Last year we replaced 12 decking planks at the lower entrance. It cost £20,000. "There's never enough money, but that's why you've got to be canny with what you do get." Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. 'Safe route' allows reopening of damaged structure Podcast brings River Tyne trail's history to life A symbol of the past fighting for its future Tyne & Wear Building Preservation Trust National Trust Gateshead Council
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Review carried out over use of popular Bridgend arts centre
Bridgend Town Council has published a feasibility study looking at options for the future of a Grade II-listed town centre building. Carnegie House, in Bridgend town centre, is more than 100 years old and was previously used as a public library as well as Bridgend Town Council's chamber and staff offices. It was first acquired by the town council in 2014 after a community asset transfer from Bridgend County Borough Council. It was later refurbished with a series of grants from the Heritage Lottery and the Arts Council of Wales and is currently used as an arts and cultural hub where a range of classes, talks, and exhibitions take place. However the recently-published report said since the Covid-19 pandemic hit attendance at the centre has dropped. For the latest Bridgend news sign up to our newsletter here. READ MORE: School put in lockdown over water pistol READ MORE: Tesco customers now have to push a button to access one product This was said to have had a "knock-on effect on income", putting additional strain on the town council's finances as it subsidises the arts centre in order to keep it open. The feasibility study has since been carried out to establish "how the building can be put to best use within the confines of the agreed community uses". Findings came from a mixture of interviews with key stakeholders and residents and showed there was strong community support for the building with almost 600 people responding to a survey. These responses showed interest in expanding what Carnegie House has to offer with things such as film nights, musical shows, themed evenings, and heritage exhibitions. It also highlighted a need to improve the promotion and advertising of such events. A consultation over the design of the building discussed the potential for physical enhancements at the site with a possibility to look at increasing the capacity of the building's main hall on the ground floor from 60 to 220 people. This would also see the Bridgend and District History Society relocated to an office on the first floor with the former council chamber transformed in to a multi-purpose space. Other changes from the proposals included improved toilets, storage, heating, and fire escapes as well as an "atrium or glass entrance to improve visibility". The report read: "The proposals aim to revitalise the venue by improving accessibility, increasing audience capacity, and removing physical barriers to engagement. "While modifications to a Grade II-listed building require careful consideration the proposed interventions have been designed to minimise heritage impact while ensuring Carnegie House remains a viable cultural hub." It added costs for the proposals could be between £468,000 and £550,000 though a further estimate said if the site eventually lived up to its potential it could generate just shy of £140,000 per year. For the latest Bridgend news sign up to our newsletter here.
Wales Online
23-05-2025
- General
- Wales Online
Review carried out over use of popular Bridgend arts centre
Review carried out over use of popular Bridgend arts centre The Grade II-listed building was acquired by the local town council in 2014 Carnegie House, Bridgend (Image: Google Maps ) Bridgend Town Council has published a feasibility study looking at options for the future of a Grade II-listed town centre building. Carnegie House, in Bridgend town centre, is more than 100 years old and was previously used as a public library as well as Bridgend Town Council's chamber and staff offices. It was first acquired by the town council in 2014 after a community asset transfer from Bridgend County Borough Council. It was later refurbished with a series of grants from the Heritage Lottery and the Arts Council of Wales and is currently used as an arts and cultural hub where a range of classes, talks, and exhibitions take place. However the recently-published report said since the Covid-19 pandemic hit attendance at the centre has dropped. For the latest Bridgend news sign up to our newsletter here. This was said to have had a "knock-on effect on income", putting additional strain on the town council's finances as it subsidises the arts centre in order to keep it open. The feasibility study has since been carried out to establish "how the building can be put to best use within the confines of the agreed community uses". Findings came from a mixture of interviews with key stakeholders and residents and showed there was strong community support for the building with almost 600 people responding to a survey. Article continues below These responses showed interest in expanding what Carnegie House has to offer with things such as film nights, musical shows, themed evenings, and heritage exhibitions. It also highlighted a need to improve the promotion and advertising of such events. A consultation over the design of the building discussed the potential for physical enhancements at the site with a possibility to look at increasing the capacity of the building's main hall on the ground floor from 60 to 220 people. This would also see the Bridgend and District History Society relocated to an office on the first floor with the former council chamber transformed in to a multi-purpose space. Other changes from the proposals included improved toilets, storage, heating, and fire escapes as well as an "atrium or glass entrance to improve visibility". The report read: "The proposals aim to revitalise the venue by improving accessibility, increasing audience capacity, and removing physical barriers to engagement. Article continues below "While modifications to a Grade II-listed building require careful consideration the proposed interventions have been designed to minimise heritage impact while ensuring Carnegie House remains a viable cultural hub." It added costs for the proposals could be between £468,000 and £550,000 though a further estimate said if the site eventually lived up to its potential it could generate just shy of £140,000 per year. For the latest Bridgend news sign up to our newsletter here.
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Estate's horse carriage rides to end after 17 years
Popular horse and carriage rides will end at a stately home after 17 years. Hawthorn Heavy Horses has been working at Hylands House near Chelmsford, Essex, after receiving Heritage Lottery funding. It blamed financial pressures and recently losing horses to retirement behind the decision to stop the carriage rides. In a statement, it said, "now is the time to stop", but the team would remain on site "in other capacities". "Whilst we have loved almost every minute of what we have done, the stark realities of running a working horse business in the current financial climate is not one to be taken lightly," it added. Over the years, six horses have been providing carriage rides for tens of thousands of people, and were used at weddings, birthday parties and Hylands events such as farmers' markets, reports the Local Democracy Reporting Service. Hawthorn Heavy Horses said it would work with Chelmsford City Council, which owns Hylands estate, to oversee other horses working on the site for woodland management and events. The horses have helped make significant improvements to the estate's woodlands through coppicing and thinning, as well as shifting timber to sell on as local sustainable firewood or products such as planks and beams. "It is very much hoped that horses will still be making a regular appearance in the park, both to continue the woodland management but also for events," the statement continued. "The council's estate volunteers are already doing an excellent job in the woods and taking care of many of the projects that we started, and other contractors are being lined up to undertake some of the bigger tasks." Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. New music festival proposed for city park Plan to restrict dogs at country park approved High rope course agreed for country estate Chelmsford City Council
