It is part of an overall £6.3million investment to allow the site to be used for community events, weddings and corporate bookings, food and drink, exhibitions and a range of community activities.
The proposals include creating a new community event space in the disused yard; enhanced community and commercial use of the building including weddings, conferences and large community events; a new public café and exhibition space; and improvements to accessibility and landscaping around the building.
Thanks to money raised National Lottery players, the project will ensure a sustainable future for the site, making it more accessible and celebrating its heritage.
The main changes to the Hall and Stables will be:
- A new café and flexible community exhibition space to celebrate the history of the Hall and those who used and who continue to use it, and to provide opportunity for local community and artists to showcase their work and vision
- A new community events space for up to 200 people, created by building a permanent roof between the current Hall and the underused Stables and Coach House buildings. The new venue will support a range of activities and functions including both public and commercial use. It will house community and cultural events as well as private-hire events such weddings, conferences or films/photo shoots.
- New landscaping around the Hall, with new stairs and accessible path to the main entrance
- A new lift to the basement and first floor inside the Hall
- A dedicated volunteer hub in the basement with its own entrance, and more rooms in the Hall opened up for community use
- A dedicated Brockwell Hall staff, including 2x new apprenticeships (business administration & cultural interpretation)
Work on the Hall will start in winter 2021 and the new Hall will open to the public in spring 2023.
Cllr Sonia Winifred, Cabinet Member for Equalities & Culture, said: “I am delighted that we have been able to work with the National Lottery Heritage Fund, our residents and stakeholders on this exciting project. It will bring new life to an underused, overlooked heritage building, with the project plans delivering real benefits for local people.”
Ann Kingsbury, Chair of Brockwell Park Community Partners, said: “We are very excited about this project. The initiative came from the community in the first instance and there is widespread support for it. The Hall will be self-sustaining but there will be community access.
“It has been achieved by partnership working with the Council that we hope will ensure the future of the Hall and the Park.”
Stuart McLeod, Director London & South at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “We are thrilled to support Lambeth Council in restoring the important Grade II* listed manor house Brockwell Hall. At the heart of the Brockwell Park community since 1813, the manor house, coach house and stables remain now largely underused due to their current conditions.
Thanks to National Lottery players, a substantial grant of over £3million will help restore the hall’s architecture, celebrate its history, and open it up to greater public access.
Furthermore, establishing it as a venue for exhibitions, community meetings and events, weddings and corporate bookings will secure Brockwell Hall’s future through sustainable and long-term revenue.”
