Ellesmere Yard
Work areas: activity planning
We are supporting the Canal and River Trust to create an inspiring Activity Plan for their historic operations base at Ellesmere Yard. The site has been at the heart of Britain's canal network for over 200 years. We are now helping the Trust to consider the next chapter for the yard, one that balances its historic significance, operational role, and potential for public access and community use.
Newark Castle
Work areas: business planning, activity planning
We prepared an activity plan and business plan for Newark Castle as part of a National Lottery Heritage Fund project to introduce new interpretation areas and create a new learning and education space. Based on local population data and audience research, we identified key target audiences for the project and devised activities aimed at bringing new visitors into the castle.
The £5.4 million project will undertake a much-needed major conservation project on the fabric of the building. A brand-new visitor offer comprising of both free access to the castle grounds and the ground floor of the North West Tower will be created. A paid offer comprising of permanent interpretation in four new spaces within the gatehouse and North West Tower in addition to access to a viewing platform on the roof of the castle will also be created. Visitors will enter the site via the gatehouse accessed by a newly formed ramp. Below the ramp will be an education and learning space. The project received funding after a successful application in 2024.
Wingfield Station
Work areas: activity planning
Wingfield Station is a rare example of a Pioneer age railway station.
We worked with Derbyshire Historic Buildings Trust to support a successful Heritage Fund application to restore the station. We developed the activity statement and evaluation of the project.
A much-loved building that had become a local eyesore, the activity programme was designed to allow local people to find out more about station buildings and railway history. The local history group and volunteers worked together to research and design the onsite interpretation. Volunteers also trained to be local guides to help visitors understand the building, learnt about site maintenance and learnt new research techniques. Their research has been made available through the Trust's website. Regular open days throughout and post restoration period grew interest in the project.
We used online videos to provide project updates to share techniques and lessons learnt from the project with others. A project with the local school saw primary school pupils visit the site to learn about the local history and from this produce a resource pack and lesson ideas. Local university students were inspired to capture the restoration process through photography in a Hidden Histories Project, documenting the changes in the building. The project was successfully completed in October 2023.
Haigh Hall
Work areas: business planning
We developed a business plan to support a multi-million pound investment project on behalf of Wigan Council. Haigh Hall is an iconic but dilapidated historic country house. As part of the business planning process we supported the local authority to make successful applications to the Heritage Fund and the Levelling Up Fund. The council is in the process of restoring and repurposing the Hall, creating a new nationally important cultural venue and visitor destination focusing on a significant art collection and the Hall's heritage. The business planning explored the balance of commercial opportunities, operational challenges and local needs.
Chester House Estate
Work areas: evaluation
Chester House Estate is the site of a Roman town, situated on the outskirts of Wellingborough. It is a Scheduled Ancient Monument which also encompasses a number of listed historic buildings.
We undertook the evaluation of a large-scale Heritage Fund project which has transformed the site into a busy visitor destination. This has been an opportunity to develop lessons around activity planning and delivery, engagement with archives, community archaeology, and commercial income generation. We worked closely with staff, volunteers and partners through workshops and one-to-ones to understand the impact of the project and create opportunities for reflection.
John Smedley Archive Charitable Trust
Work areas:
We worked with the John Smedley Archive Charitable Trust to conduct a feasibility study to on the best way for the trust to share its valuable historic archive with the general public.
The study explored the potential locations and usages of the buildings on the John Smedley factory site, Lea Bridge, Derbyshire. A range of reports including architectural plans, QS reports, an options appraisal, and an outline business plan and funding plan were developed with other consultant partners.
Treasures of the Brotherton
Work areas: evaluation
We supported the team at Leeds University Library to evaluate this Heritage Fund project in 2019. The evaluation focused on telling the story of the different elements of this complex project, from creating a new gallery within the library to working with young people to increase engagement with collections.
We developed an evaluation framework, focusing on in the first instance on where data needed to be collected and how to establish both a baseline position and the contribution of the project. The evaluation methodology linked tightly to the approved purposes of the project and the NLHF outcomes, as well as organisational aims and strategies. We worked with the project team to incorporate voices from many different people involved in the project from participants to curators. The client particularly valued our approach to synthesising the findings, encouraging reflection within the organisation and providing an evaluation report which acts as an advocacy document to support ongoing investment.
Ingestre Orangery
Work areas: business planning
We worked with the Friends of Ingestre Orangery to prepare a business plan for the operation of the Orangery, the historic glasshouse was restored using Heritage Fund funding. The business plan included proposals for establishing a new heritage venue and community facility in a rural area, considering market potential for the different activities offered, setting out detailed financial projections and considering the approach to governance and management.
Sudbury Gas Works
Work areas: business planning
We developed the business plan for the historic gas works building, which has been restored using Heritage Fund funding. The business plan set out realistic proposals for operating the site as a venue and community space. It was submitted as part of a successful Heritage Fund application in 2018.
Bramcote Old Church Tower
Work areas: activity planning, interpretation planning, consultation
We worked with Bramcote Old Church Tower Trust to develop the activity and interpretation plans for a round two application to the NLHF. The consultation at Bramcote set out to establish the interpretation themes visitors and non-visitors would like to see at the site as well as the types of activities that would be popular with visitors and education groups. We subsequently worked with the Trust to develop and deliver the interpretation scheme in conjunction with G+Studio. The project launched in September 2018.
Claymills Pumping Engines Trust
Work areas: market research
We undertook market research to inform formal plans with Claymills Pumping Engines Trust. Our work established current and potential audiences based on published geographic and population level data. We also identified a number of comparators and competitors, both within the heritage/leisure market and catering outlets, allowing the organisation to better understand their market. We also undertook a marketing review of the effectiveness of the Trusts marketing strategy and produce recommendations for the future. We worked alongside other consultants to produce a suite of documents that could be used in the future for funding applications.
Aurora Wellbeing Centre
Work areas: activity planning, interpretation planning
From 2015 to 2017, we worked with the Aurora Wellbeing Centre, a cancer support charity, to develop an activity and interpretation plan to support the conservation of their historic building and to become a community and heritage hub for Worksop.
As part of the project we undertook analysis TGI data and of a number of different catchment areas to inform the proposals. We commissioned a Mosaic analysis and undertook a review of census data. We also recommended installation of Audience Finder (through the Audience Agency) to enable future evaluation and analysis. We analysed current audience data, and worked with the centre to identify their priority audiences. Identifying and researching key priority audiences for the centre and the project, alongside barriers and drivers to engagement provided a framework for the development of activity ideas and interpretation scheme. It is was also important to consider the size of those groups, both to develop the offer and the sustainability of the business case. We also developed an extensive comparator list, supporting the staff to visits to learn lessons from other projects.
The project has since successfully opened and provides a valuable community hub.
Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet
Work areas: options appraisals, conservation management, activity planning
We prepared a successful National Lottery Heritage Fund application for Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet, a unique eighteenth century industrial works in Sheffield. The £1 million project focused on conserving the fascinating industrial machinery, and creating a new learning centre and making the site easier for visitors to understand.
We supported the development of the project, undertaking an Options Appraisal to identify appropriate solutions for the site. Following this, we developed a suite of project documents including an Activity Plan and Interpretation Plan. We also produced a Conservation Management Plan for the site, which is a Grade I listed Scheduled Ancient Monument.
Whitworth Institute
Work areas: business planning
DBA Consulting led the development of a masterplan and business plan for the Whitworth Institute and Park in Darley Dale. We supported them to plan for improved financial sustainability and to scope a major capital project to improve access to the historic community building. We supported the charity to develop a clear understanding of their strategic priorities and developed operational models and financial projections. Building on this, we developed a first round Heritage Fund bid for the institute and its park.
Kelmarsh Hall and Gardens
Work areas: project management, interpretation planning, activity planning
In 2014/15 we worked with the Kelmarsh Trust on their 'Tunnelling through the Past' project. The Trust aimed to restore some fascinating areas of the house, including the nineteenth century laundry, the butler's pantry and a hidden underground tunnel. We completed a suite of documents and project managed a Round 2 bid to the Heritage Fund to fund this restoration.
As well as supporting the development of the project, we created the activity and interpretation plans. The interpretation helped visitors understand what kept the house running and supports visits from many different audiences, from learners with additional needs to coach trips and family visitors.
Moat Brae, Dumfries
Work areas: business planning, activity planning
We developed a business plan and activity plan to support Moat Brae - the birthplace of Peter Pan in Dumfries. The project aimed to save this beautiful Georgian house and transform it into a new centre for children's literature.
The garden that inspired JM Barrie was transformed into a never land and the building created opportunities to re-imagine and create stories. The plans supported successful bids to the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Creative Scotland as part of a £6 million project.
Image: Graeme Robertson, courtesy of Moat Brae.
The Gaskells' House, Manchester
Work areas: activity planning, interpretation planning, business planning
We worked with Manchester Historic Buildings Trust to develop a Business Plan, an Activity Plan and an Interpretation Plan for the Gaskells' House, the home of novelist Elizabeth Gaskell. The plans supported a successful Round Two National Lottery Heritage Fund bid for a £2.4 million project to repair, conserve and develop the building into a sustainable venue for heritage learning and community activity.
Annesley Old Church
Work areas: activity planning, consultation
Annesley Old Church is a Grade I listed building and Scheduled Ancient Monument. DBA Consulting were commissioned by Ashfield District Council to produce an Activity Plan for a successful Round Two Heritage Fund bid for the site.
The Activity Plan was developed to meet Heritage Fund guidelines and to form a realistic future plan for the project. The site is now operated by a team of volunteers working alongside the council