Upcoming Building Works at the Guildhouse

Over the next three months, the Guildhouse will undergo essential building work following the discovery of subsidence in parts of the house and workshops. While this work is necessary, it also gives us an opportunity to carry out some long-planned improvements to our spaces.

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Schedule of works and reopening plan

Work is due to begin in April and will take place in stages. The first phase will focus on the main workshops, where we will replace cracked ceilings and repair, re-render and re-plaster the walls. Machinery will be temporarily removed while this work is carried out. Once the structural repairs are complete, the spaces will be repainted and a new anti-slip floor will be installed. As part of this phase, we will also be replacing and installing new matching steps up to the studio.

As the works progress, we expect the workshops to reopen in the following order:

• Pottery – This space will likely reopen first, as it requires the least amount of building work and can be accessed through the house. A new handrail will also be installed on the steps leading down to the pottery to improve safety.

• Studio space – This will reopen once the new steps have been installed and the ceiling has been repaired and secured.

• Wood Workshop – This will reopen last, once all renovation work inside and outside the space has been completed.

  
  

During the building work, our insurers have advised that the public should not be on site due to safety and liability considerations. We will be working closely with the contractors and will reopen each area as soon as it is safe to do so.

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Improvements taking place alongside the building work

While the building work is underway, we are also taking the opportunity to improve health and safety standards across the workshops. Before reopening the wood workshop in particular, we plan to:

• Install a new dust extraction system

• Update health and safety procedures within the workshop

• Provide woodwork machine training for all tutors

• Ensure all staff complete first aid training

  
  

It’s important to us that these measures are fully in place so that the workshops continue to provide a safe and supportive environment for everyone.

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Why the start of works has taken longer than expected

We had originally planned to begin the work earlier. However, the start date was delayed while conservation officers reviewed the project and asked to be involved throughout the process. As the Guildhouse is a historic building, certain elements must be carefully documented and reinstated exactly as they were. For example, patio slabs that are lifted need to be recorded and replaced in their original positions, and the mortar between the stones must match the existing material. This level of care has extended the timeline but ensures the building is repaired in a way that respects its historic character.

We know many of you are keen to return, and we’re very much looking forward to welcoming everyone back once the work is complete. Unfortunately, we are currently entirely in the hands of the insurance company, as they are financing the repairs. Frustratingly, this has already meant cancelling some house bookings and workshops, including the stone carving workshop and the knitting group.

We will share updates here every couple of weeks, along with photos and videos so you can follow the progress.

Although this means a short quiet period for the Guildhouse, these improvements will help ensure a stronger future for the house and workshops. Thank you for your patience, understanding and continued support - we look forward to welcoming everyone back once the work is complete.