- Restoration works completed to make Holloway Lodge secure and watertight.
- Essential repairs to prevent water damage and structural deterioration, at historic Grade II listed building
- Scaffolding removed on 6 March
Tamworth Borough Council is pleased to announce that vital repair work on one of our town’s significant heritage assets, Holloway Lodge, is now complete, with scaffolding removed on 6 March, and a final cost of around £161,000.
Holloway Lodge, a Grade II listed building dating back to 1810, is the iconic gothic-style gateway to Tamworth Castle grounds. Alongside the nearby Coach House and its courtyard, the buildings form a key part of Tamworth’s historic landscape and heritage.
Unfortunately, like many buildings of their age, they show signs of deterioration due to long-term exposure to the elements and age-related issues.
The project has completed nearly three months later than originally planned due to a redesign of the roof replacement to avoid using lead, which had been targeted by thieves on multiple occasions, resulting in additional damage.
The new roof has been constructed using stainless steel and salvaged slate, providing a durable, watertight solution while preserving the building’s character. Although working with these materials was more challenging than traditional lead, the result is a secure and resilient roof that mitigates the risk of future theft.
Additional improvements included repairs to the building’s exterior stonework while scaffolding was in place, and a large tree stump in the courtyard had caused the paving in the courtyard area to become uneven and unstable. There were ongoing concerns that rotting roots under the foundations could lead to further ground movement over time. To safeguard the historic courtyard wall, work also involved the careful excavation and staged removal of the root system.
While these priority works focused on the roof replacement, the flat roof on the annexe will be addressed in the future, and the courtyard surface will be upgraded as part of the MEND funding; an award of £1,716,238 from the Arts Council England Museum Estate and Development Fund (MEND), to allow urgent repairs throughout Tamworth Castle.
Councillor Lewis Smith, portfolio holder for people services, engagement and leisure, heritage, for Tamworth Borough Council, said: “I’m really pleased to see this important restoration work to Holloway Lodge.
“This project demonstrates how careful planning and innovative solutions can turn the challenges caused by criminal theft into a long-term positive outcome for the building.
“The restoration is part of the council’s ongoing commitment to protecting Tamworth’s historic sites and investing in the future of its cultural heritage. These repairs have made the building secure and watertight, and the historic fabric is preserved from further deterioration, but more work will be needed when funds become available to bring this building back to full use.”
Throughout the planning process and restoration works, which were carried out by a specialist conservation contractor, the council has worked closely with a conservation officer, who has been consulted to ensure that all works are sensitive to the historic nature of the site. The impact of the proposals on the significance of the heritage assets has been thoroughly considered and carefully planned to preserve their character and importance.
Notes:
In December 2023, Tamworth Castle was placed on the Heritage at Risk Register, following structural investigations carried out in 2023 - 24. Tamworth Borough Council have worked with a CARE; registered structural engineer to develop detailed understanding of the complex and varied structural challenges across the site from the motte to the keep.
The Museum Estate and Development Fund (MEND), administered by Arts Council England, announced successful funding to 29 accredited museums up and down the country, who will receive a share of almost £25 million to repair and conserve the nation’s historic buildings.