Underfall Yard rebuild to start in December 2025.
The Big Shed rebuild, alongside its three neighbouring workshops, is the final step to fully restore Underfall Yard following the May 2023 fire.
The Underfall Yard Trust is delighted to announce that building works on The Big Shed, the Yard’s flagship building, and adjoining workshops will begin in December 2025. The Trust will use one of the reinstated workshops to deliver new public engagement and education programmes centred on boatbuilding. To achieve this the Trust still needs to raise the final £100,000 to ensure the unique nineteenth-century site is suitable for twenty-first century uses.
The building contract has been awarded to Stone BCI, who repaired the Shipwright’s building earlier this year. The company has extensive experience restoring listed buildings and will work using materials appropriate to the historic context of the site and in-keeping with other buildings at the Yard.
The Trust is delivering the rebuild with a design team consisting of: Alec French Architects, MDA Consulting, Max Fordham and Stantec. The completed work will maintain the original look and scale of the workshops, while bringing them to modern standards required for a working boatyard.
Sarah Murray, Director of Underfall Yard Trust says:
“The support from across Bristol and beyond has been overwhelming. We couldn’t be at this point without everyone who has stood with us during this challenging time and no amount of “thank yous” will ever be enough. We know that the whole of Bristol is right there with us, wanting nothing more than for Underfall Yard to return to a proper, working boatyard. We’re really down to the final push now and we know that, together, we can achieve the rebuild of Underfall Yard.”
Stuart Jones from Stone BCI says:
“Working with the team on The Shipwrights’ opened our eyes to just how important the Yard is to Bristolians. We are honoured to be able to come back and finish the job by rebuilding the rest of the Yard’s workshops that were damaged in the fire. This rebuild will return the Yard to its rightful place at the heart of boatbuilding in Bristol.”
Maurice King, Project Lead at Alec French Architects, says:
“Underfall Yard is one of – if not the – last remaining complete Victorian Docks Maintenance Facilities in the world. The architectural significance is recognised through their Scheduled Monument status – giving them the same standing as sites like Stonehenge. It is vital that Bristol’s heritage is recognised and protected and we are delighted to have worked with the team to ensure the Yard is returned as we all remember it.”
The Recovery and Reinstatement Project has been supported by grants from: Architectural Heritage Fund, Garfield Weston, John James Bristol Foundation, the Kenny Family, Nisbet Trust, Pople Charitable Trust, the Red Trouser Fund, Society of Merchant Venturers, Swire Charitable Trust, Triodos Foundation and 29 May 1961 Charitable Trust. The Underfall Yard Trust has also been supported by donations from local companies such as Bristol Beer Factory, Renishaw, Seetru, SWNS, Thekla, TLT Solicitors, Wring Group, as well as individuals from the local community and beyond over the past two years.
Throughout the works, Underfall Yard, the Visitor Centre, Underfall Cafe and all Yard businesses will remain open to visitors and customers. All purchases through Underfall Cafe directly support the work of Underfall Yard Trust.
To donate to The Underfall Yard Trust and to find more information about the progress of the Recovery and Reinstatement Project, please visit their dedicated JustGiving page: https://www.justgiving.com/charity/theunderfallyardtrust
ENDS
For more information and to arrange interview opportunities please contact:
Kaden Gardener
market@underfallyard.co.uk
Illustration of Restoration Plan – Northwest View by Alec French