The Swindon Heritage Action Zone
The Carriage Works
Latest news
Since November 2022, Heritage Action Zone funding has been approved by Historic England to enable repairs to the front elevation of Units 7, 9 and 11 of the Carriage Works, (facing onto London Street).
Behind the scaffolding work they have begun to repair the external stonework and guttering and to repair, reglaze and redecorate the windows and doors. This will not only improve the building’s appearance from the street but also make it a more airtight and comfortable place to be.
These improvements are only one part of our comprehensive plan to refurbish the West Shed of the Carriage Works. Over £7million has been invested in the building so far.
Units 3 and 5 were refurbished in the summer of 2018 and they are now a thriving business incubator (Workshed) for creative and digital start-up businesses and desk co-working space. You can take a virtual tour of the space.
To enquire about booking a desk or office space at Workshed, view the Workshed website.
Unit 11 is now occupied by the Royal Agricultural University’s new Cultural Heritage Institute which is delivering postgraduate courses to train the next generation of heritage managers and professionals. You can take a virtual tour of the completed building.
Units 7 and 9 and ground floor units along London Street are nearing completion and will soon be open for business.
Create Studios will occupy the state-of-the art digital media centre being created in Unit 9 whilst Unit 7 will be occupied by iCAST, a unique research and development centre established to drive change in the innovation strategies of companies working in green growth.
For more information see the Create Studios website or the icast website.
These works have been funded through £4 million funding from the Getting Building Fund.
Next steps
Funding of £5 million from the Town Deal is enabling the redevelopment of the remaining units at the rear of the West Shed. Work has started on preparing the plans and specifications.
If you would like to find out how your organisation could occupy these exciting new spaces located within historic buildings only 5 minutes from Swindon station and town centre, then contact Mirabelle Stobbs at MStobbs@swindon.gov.uk.