Local boatbuilders move back to Underfall Yard as the rebuild project continues – PRESS RELEASE

The Underfall Yard Trust has announced that the traditional boat-building firm Star Yachts has successfully reoccupied one of the listed buildings located in the boatyard. It is the first completed restoration of the damaged workshops and buildings that will allow businesses to use the site again for boatbuilding and repairs.

The work was contracted to Stone BCI back in September 2024, who have significant experience in restoring listed buildings. It included the erection of external and internal scaffolding, roof repairs and the re-establishment of services. The vital restoration of the Shipwright’s workshop, which houses historical equipment, is the latest milestone in the journey to restore the site to its original function as a thriving boatyard.

Following the completed repair, Star Yachts have been welcomed back on site. The local maritime business has been based at Underfall Yard since it was founded in 2009 by Win Cnoops. In that time, they have become an integral part of the boat-building community based in Bristol and have collated a strong portfolio of designs and vessels that continue to commemorate traditional and modern wooden techniques, which has won them several Classic Boat Magazine awards.

Sarah Murray, Director of Underfall Yard, said: “Underfall Yard is the cornerstone of boatbuilding in Bristol and everyone involved here is thrilled to welcome the Star Yachts team back home.  Boatbuilding is recognised nationally as an endangered craft and Underfall Yard is proud to be a guardian of this vibrant and specialist industry. We’re currently focusing all our energy on preparations to rebuild the Big Shed and other workshops and cannot wait to share more news of this in the coming weeks and months.”

Will Rafferty, Director of Star Yachts, said: “The fire in 2023 was a big loss and for the entire team, both in terms of work but also emotionally. We are delighted to be back in the yard and back working in the place we have always called home, and I am eager to see the rest of the site be restored as well.”

Stuart Jones, Managing Director at Stone BCI, said:  “We’re delighted to have worked with Underfall Yard Trust to restore the Shipwright’s building to its former glory. Our programme of repairs has seen it reinstated as a fully equipped workshop for the Yard’s tenants and boatbuilders.”

Underfall Yard is now in the second phase of its Recovery and Reinstatement Project, which involves rebuilding all the damaged and destroyed structures, subject to planning approval and funding. Underfall Yard Trust is collaborating closely with contractors and tenants to oversee an ongoing schedule of repairs which will preserve the historical fabric of the buildings, whilst bringing them up to modern standards.

Councillor Tony Dyer, Leader of Bristol City Council, commented: “It’s great to see this progress to get the yard back on its feet after the devastation of the major fire just over two years ago. Underfall Yard is a much-cherished asset for our harbour and whole city as it operates as a working boatyard, heritage attraction, place of work and learning, but also a much-valued place to visit and relax. Bristol City Council is working to help support the businesses based in the boatyard and the Underfall Yard Trust, so this is a much welcome step towards their full recovery.”

Through a range of fundraising events, outreach from the local community and grants from organisations such as The Nisbet Trust and John James, the Trust has managed to raise 90 percent of the money necessary to fully complete the restoration of the boatyard. To find out more about Underfall Yard’s progress and next steps with the project, please visit the dedicated page on our website: https://underfallyard.co.uk/about/recovery/