Located in the heart of Ventnor, Isle of Wight, the old Ingram’s building was constructed in around 1830, with later additions dating back to the 1840s. Comprising of two cottages, with a small warehouse situated in between them to make a single structure, the building served as workshops for Henry Ingram and Sons Builders, who built several of the area’s key landmarks, including the now demolished Royal National Hospital on the site of the Botanic Gardens, St Lawrence Parish Church and Ventnor Town Hall, as well as many local residences.
The old Ingram’s building has been passed through various family members over the years, but was left empty after the firm’s closure in 2023. It is a rare remaining industrial space in the Ventnor Town Conservation Area, and has strong working class and social history. Due to the fact that many local tradesmen undertook apprenticeships at the workshops, it also holds special meaning for the local community.
Images: The exterior and the interior of the old Ingram's building. Credit - Maria Bell.
Recognising its significance, the Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF) is pleased to have awarded a Project Viability Grant of £7,500 to Ventnor Exchange to further explore plans for the restoration and reuse of the old Ingram’s building. This was one of 12 awards made at the latest grants meeting, where projects across England and Scotland were offered funding totalling £106,811.
Ventnor Exchange is a pioneering arts organisation. Founded independently by a group of local teenagers in 2010, its mission is to build a sustainable creative economy that provides opportunities, careers and an authentic Island voice that is heard around the world. The organisation’s current plan for this project is to refurbish the old Ingram’s building to create Ingrams Yard, a creative and community hub with shared workshops and studios for local makers and creatives, rehearsal rooms and youth space. Ventnor Exchange would be based at the site, and it would provide the organisation with a dedicated space for its Brave Island programme, through which it supports over 500 young people with training, mentoring and creative opportunities. The outdoor yard would also become a new market square, providing space for a vibrant year-round town market and community events.
The AHF grant will enable Ventnor Exchange to commission a feasibility study to explore the full range of options for use of the old Ingram’s building and outdoor yard.
Jack Whitewood, Creative & Development Director of Ventnor Exchange, said:
"We're really excited about the potential of Ingrams Yard to bring new vitality to Ventnor and a new type of creative space to the Island. It's already been home to pop up markets and as a venue during the Ventnor Fringe and we can begin to see just what a fantastic new space this could become. These funds will go towards the next stage of this project as we look to commission a Feasibility Study to help us build the case for the significant investment we need to fully restore and develop this into a leading new facility."
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