Managing industrial heritage sites presents some complex challenges, such as maintaining and operating obsolete historic machinery, and it can seem increasingly hard to fund such work.
However, it is worth remembering that beyond the usual suspects – which include the Heritage Lottery Fund, local trusts and Architectural Heritage Fund – there are potential alternative sources.
For smaller restoration projects, an excellent place to start is the Association for Industrial Archaeology’s Conservation Grant scheme, which offers up to £20,000 for the restoration of a single industrial heritage structure or artefact.
The application process is straightforward and approaches from smaller organisations are especially welcome.
There is a single annual round with a deadline of 31 March.
This year’s successful applicants include the Lion Salt Works Trust, in Cheshire, for the restoration of a salt wagon, and the Shrewsbury & Newport Canals Trust for the repair of Wappenshall Warehouse in Shropshire.
Ian Bapty is the industrial heritage support officer at the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust
However, it is worth remembering that beyond the usual suspects – which include the Heritage Lottery Fund, local trusts and Architectural Heritage Fund – there are potential alternative sources.
For smaller restoration projects, an excellent place to start is the Association for Industrial Archaeology’s Conservation Grant scheme, which offers up to £20,000 for the restoration of a single industrial heritage structure or artefact.
The application process is straightforward and approaches from smaller organisations are especially welcome.
There is a single annual round with a deadline of 31 March.
This year’s successful applicants include the Lion Salt Works Trust, in Cheshire, for the restoration of a salt wagon, and the Shrewsbury & Newport Canals Trust for the repair of Wappenshall Warehouse in Shropshire.
Ian Bapty is the industrial heritage support officer at the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust
