Charity plans heritage centre for empty building

4 hours ago

Alex PopeBedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire

The building, on Queensway, was built as a private residence in 1790 and was most recently used as council offices

Dacorum Heritage Trust An old cream coloured two-storey building, with lots of windows, that are all sealed with metal covers. There is a side wing, and grass at the front. The front door also has a metal cover and has four steps leading up to it. — The building, on Queensway, was built as a private residence in 1790 and was most recently used as council offices

A preservation charity is hoping to transform an empty 1790 Grade II* listed building into a heritage centre.

Dacorum Heritage Trust said it had contacted Dacorum Borough Council to support redeveloping The Bury, in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, into a "welcoming heritage centre for the whole borough".

It would house the trust's collection of more than 132,000 catalogued items, including archives, photographs and objects.

The council, which owns the building, said it was looking at a number of options "including a proposal from Dacorum Heritage Trust".

Dacorum Heritage is an accredited museum currently based in Berkhamsted

Dacorum Heritage Trust A brick building, with boarded up windows, a brown door, and one window. There is a garage shutter to the left and three cars parked outside, including a police vehicle. — Dacorum Heritage is an accredited museum currently based in Berkhamsted

The group said the building "has the potential to become a vibrant place where local people can explore, enjoy and help shape Dacorum's story".

The trust said if it moved, it would hold exhibitions, events and community-led activities in the building, which started life as a private residence in the late 18th Century.

"The Bury is a building of exceptional local significance," a trust spokesperson said.

The charity is currently based at the Museum Store — a converted fire station in Berkhamsted.

It has limited space, and only holds six open days a year, and pre-booked tours.

Connie Search, a museum assistant, has worked on the Ovaltine UK archive - the hot drink company was based in nearby Kings Langley

Dacorum Heritage Trust Connie Search, wearing a red and cream striped top, a necklace and glasses and she has her hair tied up. Files are behind her on shelves, and she is looking down at a table top, with items on it. — Connie Search, a museum assistant, has worked on the Ovaltine UK archive - the hot drink company was based in nearby Kings Langley

Melissa Linsey, the museum manager, said: "The Bury offers an exciting opportunity to protect one of Hemel Hempstead's most significant historic buildings while creating a welcoming visitor centre for Dacorum's heritage.

"We want local people, schools, volunteers and community groups to be at the heart of shaping what comes next."

Moving to the site would improve "storage, security and environmental conditions for objects, archives and photographs".

How the building looked in 2013 - it has also served as a register office and the constituency office of ex-MP Sir Mike Penning

Brian Robert Marshall/Geograph The outside of a large cream coloured building, with several windows. It has a grey roof, and a tree to the right, with branches at the front of the image. There is grass in front of the building. — How the building looked in 2013 - it has also served as a register office and the constituency office of ex-MP Sir Mike Penning

The trust said it was "seeking support in principle" from the council so more detailed work could be carried out and no "capital commitment" would be needed.

It would then "develop designs, undertake surveys, test the business case, consult partners and communities, and seek external funding".

Volunteers from the trust have been trained in book conservation at the museum

Dacorum Heritage Trust A group of volunteers holding pieces of paper, and all wearing aprons. They are all standing up, in a room, with a large window behind them. There are three women and two men. A building is in the distance. — Volunteers from the trust have been trained in book conservation at the museum

A council spokesperson said the building had been empty for "some time due to the substantial investment required to bring it back into use".

They said it was looking at a number of proposals and all "will be assessed on their merits, and no decisions have been made".

They added it was "committed to securing a viable future for this important heritage asset and will provide further updates as the review progresses".

Do you have a story suggestion for Beds, Herts or Bucks? Contact us below.

Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.

Charity plans heritage centre for empty building

Museum honours one of its first female scientists

Toilet roll competes for 'object of the year'

Council claims town is the new Hollywood

Dacorum Heritage Trust

Dacorum Borough Council

Council restructure news still on track for July

Why are some councils losing planning controls?

Court injunction on traveller site stays in place

Library back home three years after rain damage move

Fire gutted hotel owners ordered to demolish

J2O maker denies cabin image copyright claim

Leith venue removed from theatres at risk register

The little village with a big Viking past