Ripon Museum Trust is delighted to announce the appointment of Dobson Construction Ltd as the capital works contractor for its Inspiration For a Fairer Futures project, an ambitious £3.3 million redevelopment initiative which will breathe new life into the Victorian Ripon Workhouse Museum & Garden.
Made possible thanks to the generous support of The National Lottery Heritage Fund and other funders (the UK government through the Shared Prosperity Fund, the Wolfson Foundation, Garfield Weston Foundation, The Headley Trust and the Foyle Foundation), Inspiration For A Fairer Futures project will create a powerful visitor experience and welcome new, diverse audiences to one of the city’s most important heritage buildings.
Dobson Construction Ltd, based in Ilkley, will lead the extensive capital works to conserve and restore the 1850’s workhouse buildings – one of the UK’s most complete surviving workhouses. The project will open up previously unseen rooms, improve accessibility and deliver environmentally sustainable upgrades including a new roof, window frames and enhanced insulation to reduce the Trust’s carbon footprint. These essential works will ensure the building is preserved for generations to come while creating new opportunities for visitors to explore its powerful stories.
Alongside conservation and restoration of the buildings and important items in the museum’s collection, the project will deliver a new visitor journey, exhibitions and storytelling which connect the experiences of those who lived, worked and endured the workhouse. Digital technology and community-led co-production will ensure that stories are shared in engaging, inclusive and thought-provoking ways.
Alexa Vernon – Director of Ripon Museum Trust commented: “We are delighted to partner with Dobson Construction Ltd to begin the essential capital and conversation works which mark the first step in bringing this ambitious redevelopment project to life.
For many years, critical repairs and restoration work have been deferred due to limited resources. Thanks to The National Lottery Heritage Fund and other generous funders, we plan to conserve and restore the Ripon workhouse’s historic fabric and transform how communities experience and connect with its history and ask questions about the future.”
Bryan Atkinson at Dobson Construction Ltd said: “We are delighted to chosen to work with Ripon Museum Trust on this important and ambitious project and can’t wait to get underway. Dobson’s as a company specialise in heritage works, so we know the degree of sensitivity on projects on this nature. Our dedicated team look forward to working with the Trust in the delivery of a successful project.”
All three of Ripon’s museums remain open until the end of the November when the season ends. Redevelopment work began yesterday at the Workhouse Museum, meaning a small section of the site will be temporarily closed.