A historic pin factory is being brought back to life.
The Westgate Street site in Gloucester—as one of 37 across England and only seven in the South West—will be restored through Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Capital Fund.
The Grade II listed building, tucked behind The Folk of Gloucester, was once a hub of industrial activity in the early 1800s.
Louise Williams, CEO of The Folk of Gloucester, said: "We have become a thriving space for art, theatre, music, and storytelling.
"Our record visitor numbers, and the comments left by them, tell us all we need to know about how loved these buildings are by the public."
The Folk of Gloucester, a former museum, is now a lively venue for events and exhibitions.
However, the pin factory itself is currently unusable.
Its Yorkshire sash windows, which open horizontally, were installed to bring light and air to the growing factory.
Today, the wooden window frames are rotting, threatening the structure’s stability.
The funding will cover the replacement of the window frames, the careful reinstatement of historic glass panes, and repairs to the factory’s western wall.
The Gloucester Civic Trust hopes the project will transform the pin factory into a vibrant community space.
It envisions the site offering craft workshops and possibly housing a bar for music and theatre events.
The trust said: "No longer home to static exhibits, the plan is to go back to its roots as a working building, offering affordable community space for craft workshops and other activities."
The restoration is part of a broader plan to celebrate Gloucester’s industrial heritage while meeting modern community needs.
Read more
'Just simply not right': Anger over 'Dubai-style' lights on pretty Cotswold street
Major milestone to be reached on A417 Missing Link scheme
Takeaway closed after live mouse found as manager fined
There are also plans to invest in the nearby historic Cider Mill.
Other projects supported by the Heritage at Risk Capital Fund include the derelict Toll House at Birnbeck Pier in Weston-super-Mare and Swindon’s Health Hydro, which contains England’s oldest Turkish baths.
All are expected to benefit from the £15 million fund, which aims to preserve culturally significant sites for future generations.
The work in Gloucester aims to create a lasting legacy while revitalising a key piece of the city’s industrial history.
Share