Image demonstrating Major step forward for Berwick Barracks project

Major step forward for Berwick Barracks project

The council has warmly welcomed a grant of £4.2m from the Cultural Development Fund to English Heritage on behalf of the Berwick Barracks Partnership.  
 
The funding represents an important next step in delivering a long-term project to transform Berwick Barracks, enabling the partners to better tell the Barracks’ dramatic and intriguing story, and creating a vibrant cultural hub for the town of Berwick.. 
 
The  Partnership was formed by organisations with a shared vision to transform the Barracks into a thriving cultural hub and visitor destination.  
 
Chaired by English Heritage, the group includes Berwick Barracks Heritage Trust, The King’s Own Scottish Borderers, the County Council and the Maltings (Berwick) Trust.  
 
The first phase of the partnership’s vision will see the creation of a striking new home for contemporary visual art and the King’s Own Scottish Borderers Regimental Museum on a single landmark site, alongside studio spaces for local artists and makers with more opportunity for showing and selling work.  
 
The next phase will see a café / restaurant within the Officers Mess and the final phase will see the West Block and Clock Block returned to accommodation. Meanwhile the council will work towards moving Berwick Archives into the Barracks. A consultation began in the summer of 2021 and received widespread support. 
 
The total funding necessary for the cultural elements of the project, excluding the accommodation, café and shop, is likely to be close to £10 million, but with this grant and £1.1 million already committed by the County Council, the project has taken a significant step closer and demonstrates confidence in the project to other potential funders. 
 
Councillor Jeff Watson, Cabinet Member for Culture and Tourism, said: "This is a very welcome announcement both for Berwick and the wider county. 
 
"We've worked closely with English Heritage and all the other partners on this long-term scheme to transform the Barracks and this will allow us to move forward with confidence. 
 
"This grant further cements Berwick's reputation as an exciting hub for arts and culture." 
 
Andrea Selley, Territory Director for the North at English Heritage said: “We are very pleased to have received this significant grant and want to thank the Government for its support.  
 
“The Living Barracks project presents an exciting opportunity for English Heritage and our partners to breathe new life into Berwick Barracks and make a significant contribution to the town, providing employment and further investment. We look forward to bringing all parts of the Barracks back into use, and creating a vibrant place that local residents and businesses are truly proud of.” 
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