Heritage Trust for the North West / Heritage Trust North West is a registered Building Preservation Trust, established in 1978 as a charity and company.[1]
| Abbreviation | HTNW |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1978 |
| Legal status | Trust |
| Purpose | To rescue and restore buildings of architectural interest at risk in the North West of England |
| Headquarters | Barrowford, United Kingdom |
| Location |
|
Region served | North West England |
Official language | English |
CEO | Michael Guy |
Parent organization | English Heritage |
| Affiliations | Associated Groups |
| Website | http://www.htnw.co.uk |
Formerly known as the Lancashire Heritage Trust, it has rescued and restored many buildings of architectural interest at risk in Lancashire. In 1996 Lancashire Heritage Trust merged with the North West Buildings Preservation Trust which had similar aims and enlarged its remit to cover the North West of England, a requirement of the Charity Commission.[2] Subsequently, the trust has developed projects in Manchester, Liverpool and Cumbria.
The aim of the trust is to restore and find new and appropriate uses for historic buildings and encourage good design and craftsmanship. It has retained some of the buildings it has restored to provide funding for further projects. Others are open to the public forming a network of historic places.
Up to October 2006 the trust's headquarters were in Barrowford, a building which is now the Pendle Heritage Centre, founded in 1977, and one of the trust's flagship projects. The heritage centre attracts over 100,000 visitors a year. Since October 2006 the trust's headquarters are at Higherford Mill, a Grade II listed building owned by the trust and restored as a centre for creative industries.[3]
Organisational Structure
The Trust compromises of seven trustees which is chaired by John Turner. In 2023 the trust appointed a new CEO, Michael Guy.
Buildings within the Trust
The trust is involved with projects and buildings including:
| Building Name | Town | Use & Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Higherford Mill | Higherford, Nelson | Art & Craft Centre[4] |
| St Mary's Church | Nelson | Church[5] |
| Lomeshaye Bridge Mill | Nelson | Derelict[6] |
| Lomeshaye Weaving Sheds | Nelson | Derelict[7] |
| Terrace houses | Whitefield, Nelson | Private Residence |
| 25-27 Church Street | Slaidburn | Unknown/ Residential |
| Mona House | Morecambe | Artist Studio[8] |
| Bank Hall | Bretherton | Former derelict manor house, restored 2017-2021. Prospect Tower & Exhibition opened 2022.[9] |
| 25 Wallgate | Wigan | BRIDGFORDS LTD |
| St Luke's Church | Cheetham Hill, Manchester | Derelict, awaiting restoration[10] |
| The King's Head and 3, Freckleton St | Blackburn | Offices[11] |
| Welsh Presbyterian Church | Liverpool | Derelict[12] |
Visitor Centres
The trust has the following visitor centres:
| Building Name | Town | Further Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pendle Heritage Centre | Barrowford | Also houses Pendle Arts Gallery & Park Hill Cottages[13] |
| Lytham Hall | Lytham St Annes | Georgian Country House[14] |
| Heysham Heritage Centre | Heysham | Coastal Visitor Centre[15] |
| Sawley Abbey | Clitheroe | Cistercian Monastery ruins and visitor centre[16] |
| Slaidburn Heritage Centre | Slaidburn | Houses the Slaidburn Village Archives[17] |
Associated Groups
The trust has involvement with many groups, including:
- Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF)
- English Heritage
- European Regional Development Fund
- Friends of Bank Hall
- Friends of Lytham Hall
- Heritage Lottery Fund
- Lancashire County Council (LCC)
- Lancashire Environmental Fund
- North West Regional Development Agency
- Pendle Borough Council
- Pendle Partnership
- The Prince's Regeneration Trust
Exhibitions
| Exhibition Name | Place | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Banastre and Swinglehurst Families | Pendle Heritage Centre, Barrowford | Opened with the Centre in 1977–present.[18] |
| Pendle Witches | Pendle Heritage Centre, Barrowford | Opened with the centre in 1977–present.[19] |
| Historic Buildings in Wigan and the Douglas Valley | Pendle Heritage Centre, Barrowford | June 2006 - August 2006 Featured buildings in Greater Manchester, Wigan and the Douglas Valley, including Standish Hall, Ackhurst Hall and Worthington Hall and a small display on Bank Hall, once owned by Lord Lilford, lord of the manor of Atherton.[20] |
| Archaeology Exhibition | Pendle Heritage Centre, Barrowford | September 2010 |
| Architectural Heritage Exhibition | St Mary's Church, Nelson | Opens May 2012 and will feature building materials from across the HTNW projects.[21] |