News / Ashton Court Mansion
Charitable trust ready to rescue and reopen Ashton Court Mansion
The future of Ashton Court Mansion is closer to being in safe hands after a unanimous vote by councillors for a charitable trust to work towards rescuing and reopening the Grade I-listed building that is in serious danger of falling into disrepair.
Mansion owners Bristol City Council has granted a memorandum of understanding to Bristol Historic Buildings Trust (BHBT) who specialise in renovating and bringing back to life important heritage spaces.
Previous buildings that Norman Routledge and his team have rescued include St Michael on the Mount Without in Kingsdown, Kings Weston House in Kingsweston and the Lamplighters pub in Shirehampton.
The council’s decision on Monday gives BHBT a period of exclusivity to develop a full business plan and negotiate a long-term lease for the mansion, while beginning initial work to prevent further deterioration of the building, with Ashton Court being the site of a manor house since the 11th century.
BHBT’s proposed model is for a 125-year lease and the freehold retained by Bristol City Council, with ten years rent-free and then a ten per cent profit share with the local authority.
The trust envision the mansion being restored as a publicly accessible community space; with potential future uses including event and exhibition spaces, workshops, hospitality, and cultural programmes.
Despite BHBT’s pledge to reopen the mansion, it remains partly open and there are a number of events planned in the run-up to Christmas ranging from live music to dog comedy and life drawing.
The 20 per cent of the building that remains usable has been looked after for a number of years by Artspace Lifespace as the Arts Mansion, while Friends of Ashton Court Mansion have organised regular tours.
The historic home of the Smyth family is currently in a very sorry state inside – photo: Friends of Ashton Court Mansion
Routledge said: “We’re absolutely delighted by today’s unanimous decision and deeply grateful to councillors for their faith in us.
“This is a vote of confidence not just in the trust, but in the idea that Ashton Court Mansion still has a bright future ahead of it.
“It’s a privilege to begin this journey together with the council and the people of Bristol, working hand in hand to bring this remarkable building back to life for the community for generations to come.”
Ashton Court has been the site of a manor house since the 11th century – photo: Karen Johnson
BHBT chair Simon Cook, a former Lib Dem leader of Bristol City Council, said that “this is an incredibly exciting moment for Bristol”.
Cook added: “The council’s support allows us to begin proving that Ashton Court Mansion can thrive again, not as a private development, but as a living, breathing part of the city’s cultural and civic life.
“We look forward to working collaboratively with the council, local organisations and residents to ensure that the mansion once again becomes a place the whole city can take pride in.”
Friends of Ashton Court Mansion’s next open weekend takes place on November 8 and 9. For more information, visit ashtoncourt.wixsite.com/mansionfriends/news-and-events
Main photo: Karen Johnson
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