Historic Grade II-listed warehouse in Sharpness saved from dereliction (From Gazette Series)
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Historic Grade II-listed warehouse at Sharpness Dock saved from dereliction
11:00am Wednesday 20th March 2013 in News By Lucy Fulford
Grade II-listed North Warehouse at Sharpness Dock has been refurbished
A HISTORIC 19th century listed warehouse in Sharpness has been saved from dereliction by a canal charity.
After months of repairs, the Grade II-listed North Warehouse at Sharpness Dock has also been taken off the Heritage at Risk register for the first time in ten years.
The Canal & River Trust – the charity that cares for 2,000 miles of waterways across England and Wales – spent seven months working on the waterway building.
Following timber refurbishment, roof re-slating and repairs to guttering and windows, the warehouse is now fully secured.
The North Warehouse is the only survivor of four large warehouses that used to store imported grain when Sharpness Docks opened in 1874.
Unsuited for modern methods of handling and storing bulk goods, the building has lain abandoned for more than 30 years, leading to a considerable deterioration of its condition.
Strong winds sweeping up the Bristol Channel inflict a battering on the six-storey warehouse, and its condition meant it was placed on Stroud District Council’s At Risk register.
The Trust is now considering ways the building can be brought back into use.
David Viner, Canal & River Trust heritage advisor said he was delighted they had finally been able to make the building weathertight again.
"We’ll definitely find a use for it, although it may take some time because of its location within a commercial dock area," he explained.
"In the 1970s similar warehouses in Gloucester Docks were at risk of demolition because they were deemed redundant and useless. Fortunately it didn’t happen and now restored and converted they are jewels in Gloucester’s dockside regeneration.
"The thousands of historic buildings that line the nation’s canals and rivers add so much to the unique character of the waterways. Restoration projects like this are vital to ensure this character endures, so we are delighted that the North Warehouse has been saved for the future – it’s a real victory for all who love the heritage of the waterways."
