THE HISTORIC ELLESMERE CANAL YARD has secured National Lottery funding for its next chapter.
Plans to secure the future of one of the canal network’s most historic working yards are moving ahead after the Canal & River Trust was awarded £4,540,000 by National Lottery players and The National Lottery Heritage Fund for the delivery phase of its 'Forging Ahead' project.
An important base
Built in 1806 on the Llangollen Canal, Ellesmere Yard was once the office and workshops of the Ellesmere Canal Company. More than two centuries later, it remains an important base for the trust’s canal maintenance teams. The project will protect the 200 years of unbroken operation while bringing historic buildings back into use and opening more of the site for people to enjoy.
Photographs by Ian P Roberts.
The funding follows a successful development phase in which the trust worked with residents, businesses, and partners to shape plans for the yard. Delivery will include repairs and improvements to historic buildings, alongside spaces for community activity, heritage interpretation and independent heritage crafts and businesses.
The plans will make it easier for visitors to discover the people, skills and stories that have shaped Ellesmere Yard.
Stuart Mills, Chief Investment Officer, at Canal & River Trust, tells:
Remains a working yard
“Ellesmere Yard is a special place because its history is still part of everyday life. It has supported the canal for over 200 years and remains a working yard today. This award gives us the opportunity to care for its historic buildings, welcome more people in and create new uses that will help the site thrive for years to come.
“We’re grateful to everyone who shared their ideas during the development phase. Their input has helped us shape a project that respects what makes the yard unique while creating more opportunities for the local community to be part of its future.”
Ian Lane, Head of Operational Partnerships & Fundraising at Canal & River Trust, explains:
“For more than 200 years, Ellesmere Yard has been a place where people work to keep our canals running. It remains an important operational base for our teams today, and protecting that role is central to Forging Ahead.
“Thanks to National Lottery players, this investment will help us care for the historic buildings while bringing new people, skills and activity into the yard, keeping it alive as a working place for generations to come.”
Thanks to National Lottery Players
Liz Bates, Director, England, Midlands & East at The National Lottery Heritage Fund adds:
"We are pleased to announce our support for the Ellesmere Yard project with a grant of over £4.5 million, made possible thanks to National Lottery players.
“This historic site provided a base for leading figures in canal building Thomas Telford and William Gessop and has been in operation for over 200 years. Our funding will help to maintain this as a working yard and will support the Canal & River Trust to sustain this for many more years to come, adapting some space to create new community and creative uses.
"There will be opportunities for local people to get involved, and to be announced as the project progresses”
Funding for this project has been made possible thanks to National Lottery players.