Multi-million-pound boost for Berwick Barracks project
Historic barracks project marches forward with new funding award. Tony Henderson reports
A project to transform a town’s historic barracks into a cultural hub has taken another leap forward with a new funding award.
A £4.5m grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund has been awarded to English Heritage on behalf of the Berwick Barracks Partnership.
This is a significant milestone in the long-term project to realise the potential of the 18th-century Berwick Barracks by bringing empty buildings and spaces back into use in a way which supports the local economy and ensures the survival of an historic landmark.
In a further boost, planning permission has also been granted.
The new funding builds on the £4.2m Cultural Development Fund grant which English Heritage secured from Arts Council England.
The Living Barracks project will see the existing exhibitions, gallery and cultural space updated, the relocation of the Berwick Archives to the Barracks, and the provision of studio spaces for local artists and makers.
The Parade Ground will be improved and – in a later phase – the remaining empty barracks blocks will be returned to accommodation.
Work has already started on the refurbishment of the old Mobilisation (Mob) Store to create a temporary cinema, the creation of studio spaces and the move of the Kings Own Scottish Borderers (KOSB) Association and its collection, across the Parade Ground to a temporary new home while the transformation of the East Block takes place.
The Heritage Fund grant goes towards a partnership project that includes conservation and refurbishment of the East Barracks block, where the existing KOSB museum sits, and conversion of a former storage space into an environmentally controlled store for all of Berwick’s archives.
New gallery spaces will be created to house Berwick’s important Burrell Collection, the KOSB Museum and other town collections. The museum’s design and interpretation will be guided in co-operation with the community to create an offer that attracts new visitors and captures the spirit of Berwick.
The funding will also support a programme of community outreach, collections care, and organisational resilience to integrate the Barracks with the town and secure its long-term viability as a visitor destination and community resource.
Berwick Barracks, designed by the distinguished architect Nicholas Hawksmoor, was among the first purpose-built barracks in England.
Andrea Selley, territory director for the North at English Heritage said: “We are thrilled to have received this support. The Living Barracks project presents an exciting opportunity for English Heritage and our partners to breathe new life into Berwick Barracks and to make a significant contribution to the town.
“With planning permission now granted we look forward to bringing all parts of the property back into use and creating a vibrant place where heritage, arts and culture can thrive.”
Berwick is one of the most outstanding fortified towns in Europe, with a castle and town walls built in the 13th century, and later replaced with the most ambitious artillery fortress of the Elizabethan era, whose bastions still dominate the town.
Helen Featherstone, director of England, North at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “The project is a wonderful example of how the National Lottery Heritage Fund’s vision for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone can be realised.
“Thanks to National Lottery players, we are delighted to be able to award this grant which will ensure that Berwick Barracks continues to play a vital and important role in the town, contributing towards its vibrancy by enhancing the visitor economy through this transformation and revitalisation.”
The Berwick Barracks Partnership is chaired by English Heritage, and includes Berwick Barracks Heritage Trust, King’s Own Scottish Borderers, Northumberland County Council and the Maltings (Berwick) Trust.
Work is expected to start in the summer and the project is set to run until December 2028.