Urgent conservation repair works Grade II* Listed Buildings
Ellesmere Yard comprises a collection of Grade II* Listed and curtilage listed buildings dating from 1805 and the completion of the Ellesmere Canal (now Llangollen Canal). In its heyday, the Yard produced features installed along the canal network, including lock gates, paddles, ironmongery, and other canal componentry. Today, many of the unique historic features, including machinery, fire buckets and patterns, survive and contribute to the Yard’s significance, which remains the most complete, operational canal maintenance yard in the UK. In 2024, the Blacksmith’s and Joiner’s Shop and Pine Loft were added to Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register.
We worked with Canal & River Trust to schedule and detail a c.£300k package of urgent conservation repair works to stabilise this collection buildings, following many years of fabric degradation. The works were grant funded by Historic England and the Shared Prosperity Fund, and focussed on areas in the most deteriorated state, including: carefully rebuilding a covered walkway canopy; improving surface water drainage to the partially submerged workshops; timber repairs and roof works to the Engine Room and Pine Loft, comprising heritage glass reinstatement, and new bespoke timber rooflights modelled on the existing.
The work was planned and executed to be a faithful heritage reinstatement and restoration, with contemporary design adjustment or enhancements, where appropriate. The completed project has reduced long-term maintenance and improved safety at the site. The works also support the Trust’s longer-term vision for the sustainable future of the Yard.