Cramlington-based, Compass Developments has been appointed as principal contractor for the restoration of Woodhorn Museum’s historic Heapstead structures.
Appointed onto the project via Northumberland County Council, through the NEPO framework, the £2.5 million contract will see the restoration of two Heapsteads from the former Woodhorn Colliery, which now serve as a main attraction within Woodhorn Museum.
The Heapsteads are a key part of the mechanism which brought coal from over 250 metres underground. In recent years, they have suffered from severe corrosion. The structure is Grade II listed and has been classed as “heritage at risk” by Historic England.
The Heapsteads are part of a scheduled monument recognised as the best-preserved examples of late 19th and early 20th century collieries in the North East.
The project will ensure the colliery buildings and the story of what they represent, is conserved for future generations. It will also create training opportunities for young people in construction and heritage skills.
Ian Simpson, director at Compass Developments, said: “As a company based in Northumberland, we are delighted to be appointed to a project which will benefit the local community and leave a lasting legacy.
“This is a 40-week programme, to include steel work repair and restoration, lighting upgrades and full redecoration, using specialist paint to ensure the structure is in keeping with the original look. In line with this, we are working closely and in conjunction with Historic England.”
The restoration work is supported by significant investment from Northumberland County Council and The Heritage at Risk Capital Fund, led by Historic England and funded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, to rescue listed buildings and sites facing dereliction or demolition.
Woodhorn Museum is one of 12 museums and galleries within the North East Museums Partnership.
Woodhorn Colliery operated between 1894 and 1981. At its peak there were over 2,000 people working underground at the site and 600,000 tonnes of coal was mined from the pit each year.
On 27 February 1981, the Colliery closed and the remaining workforce were transferred to other pits. In 1989, the Colliery reopened as a mining museum, celebrating Northumberland’s proud mining history.
Council leader, Glen Sanderson at Northumberland County Council said: “It’s great news that this careful restoration work is to be carried out by a local company with a local workforce.
“We’ve been delighted to support this project, which is so important in ensuring this area’s proud mining heritage is protected for generations to come.”
Jo Raw, Northumberland venues manager for North East Museums, said: “The structures are such an iconic part of Northumberland’s landscape and identity, and they stand as powerful symbols of the region’s proud mining legacy. We’re pleased to be working with local contractor Compass Developments on this restoration project, which will help safeguard these remarkable structures for future generations, while ensuring visitors can continue to connect with the stories of the communities who lived and worked here.”