A Bristol building which has been a base for social change for centuries has been added to Historic England's 'Heritage At Risk' register. Kingsley Hall in Old Market is in need of urgent repairs, but there is hope for its future as funding has already been identified for the works.
The Grade II listed building was originally a grand house when it was constructed back in 1709, and was remodelled as offices in the late 19 th century. It then became the headquarters of the Independent Labour Party in 1911.
It was renamed in honour of priest, historian and poet Charles Kingsley, and later served as a meeting place for trade unions and suffragettes. Now it is the base and headquarters of youth homelessness charity 1625 Independent People, meaning its legacy as a place for social change lives on.
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The organisation works with young people who are homeless, leaving care, or at risk of homelessness in the South West, offering support to more than 1,500 young people each year. As well as providing safe, stable accommodation, the charity provides practical and emotional support to ensure vulnerable young people can build healthy relationships, develop independent living skills and can access jobs and training, in order to flourish and thrive as an independent adult.
According to its grade listing on Historic England, Kingsley Hall on Old Market Street is "the only Bristol example of a style of urban architecture more common in South West towns such as the Butterwalks in Dartmouth and Totnes". However, earlier this year the roofs and exterior fabric of Kingsley Hall were found to be in need of urgent repair.
The state of the building has prompted Historic England to add it to its 'at risk' list, which is updated every year to assess the health of England’s most valued historic places and those most at risk of being lost as a result of neglect, decay or inappropriate development. Over the past year, 54 historic buildings and sites have been added to the Register in the South West because of their deteriorating condition and 80 sites have been saved and their futures secured.
They include St Peter's Church at Castle Park, which is set to reopen after years. Another church has also been saved and removed from the register - the Roman Catholic Church of St Bernadette, on Wells Road.
Unlike some listings on the register, however, the future for Kingsley Hall looks bright. A project to repair the building and bring it into sustainable, long-term use as a safe and welcoming place for the city’s most disadvantaged young people is now in development, following initial support thanks to a development grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Jamie Gill of 1625 Independent People said: “The National Lottery Heritage Fund award means we can bring the building into good repair and provide accommodation, training spaces and meeting places for young people, and high-quality office space for our team. Transforming Kingsley Hall will be a great opportunity to use heritage as a platform to transform young people’s lives by developing their skills, relationships and their sense of identity and belonging.
"They will be at the heart of the project from the outset by leading the work, young people will develop their sense of ownership, grow in confidence and change the way they view themselves and their future."
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