Heritage Building on ‘at-risk’ list ... but future’s bright
ABRISTOL building that has been a base for social change for centuries has been added to Historic England’s ‘Heritage at Risk’ register.
Kingsley Hall, in Old Market, is in need of urgent repairs, but there is hope for its future, with funding already identified for the work.
The Grade II-listed building was originally a grand house after it was built in 1709, but was remodelled as offices in the late 19th century. It then became the headquarters of the Independent Labour Party in 1911.
It was renamed in honour of priest, historian and poet Charles Kingsley and later served as a meeting place for trades unions and suffragettes. Now it is the headquarters of charity 1625 Independent People, meaning its legacy as a place for social change lives on.
The organisation works with young people in the South West who are homeless, leaving care or are at risk of homelessness, offering support to more than 1,500 individuals each year.
As well as providing safe, stable accommodation, the charity gives practical and emotional support to ensure vulnerable young people can build healthy relationships, develop independent living skills and can access jobs and training.
According to its listing on Historic England, Kingsley Hall is “the only Bristol example of a style of urban architecture more common in South West towns such as the Butterwalks in Dartmouth and Totnes”. However, earlier this year the roof and exterior fabric of Kingsley Hall were found to be in need of urgent repair. The state of the building has prompted Historic England to add it to its ‘at risk’ list, which is updated every year. It indicates England’s historic places that are most at risk of being lost as a result of neglect, decay or inappropriate development.
Over the past year, 54 historic buildings and sites have been added to the register in the South West because of their deteriorating condition, and 80 sites have been saved and their futures secured.
They include St Peter’s Church at Castle Park, which is set to reopen for the first time in years. Another church has also been saved and removed from the register – the Roman Catholic Church of St Bernadette, on Wells Road.
Unlike for some listings on the register, the future for Kingsley Hall looks bright. A project to repair the building and bring it into sustainable, longterm use is now being devised. It comes after a development grant was made by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Jamie Gill, of 1625 Independent People, said: “The National Lottery Heritage Fund award means we can bring the building into good repair and provide accommodation, training spaces and meeting places for young people, and high-quality office space for our team.
“Transforming Kingsley Hall will be a great opportunity to use heritage as a platform to transform young people’s lives by developing their skills, relationships and their sense of identity and belonging.
“They will be at the heart of the project from the outset by leading the work.”