HISTORIC PUMPING STATION TO GAIN A NEW LEASE OF LIFE AS WEDDING VENUE To love and to cherish...
THIS picture reveals how the inside of a Victorian pumping station could look after a major refurbishment that will see it turned into a wedding venue.
Bestwood Pumping Station is being converted into two restaurants and a bar called The Lakeside, providing the perfect setting for a couple to get married.
With a capacity for 250 people, the wedding venue is planned for the ground floor with a tower being converted into a viewing gallery, featuring spectacular views of the area.
Architectural and interior design company DL Design Studio has been commissioned by Newera Partnership Limited to apply to Gedling Borough Council for listed building consent for the refurbishment.
Dan Lacey, of DL Design Studio, said: “The concept has been led by the beauty of the building itself.
“The refurbishment works will be carried out with respect to the original craftsmanship whilst maintaining a clear historical narrative, from 1874 to date.”
He added: “Who wouldn’t want to get married in such a gorgeous building?”
The site is located off the A60 Mansfield Road, near the Bestwood Lodge Hotel.
Richard Berridge, of the Newera Partnership Limited, said: “We’ve used local tradesmen to renovate the £5m project and want The Lakeside to not only be a magical place for couples to get married but also to be a destination for families to visit and enjoy the lake and parkland.
“We will be sourcing as much as we can locally, employing local people when we are open in autumn/winter 2020 and want The Lakeside to be here for the local community to enjoy.”
The lake has been cleared, with new fountains being added and the grounds landscaped.
Both the grounds and parkland will be open to the public.
A heritage statement, submitted as part of the application, states: “Bestwood Pumping Station was built between 1871 and 1874 and operated until the mid-60s.
“It was commissioned by the Nottingham Water Company and designed by Thomas Hawksley.
“Several of the structures on site are listed including the pump house, lodges, landscaped ornamental cooling pond, several cast iron lamps and the boundary walls.”
The main pumping station building is Grade Ii*-listed - and the rest of the listed structures on site are Grade Ii-listed.
A spokesman for Gedling Borough Council said: “A planning application for the former Bestwood Pumping Station, Mansfield Road, has been received by the council and decision on the proposals is expected to be made before the end of April.
“The application includes the refurbishment and minor reconfiguration of the main station building to a function room, bar and restaurant.”
The building closed in 2017 and it was reported in July 2018 the venue was being sold.