More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
An historic building in Rochester will appear on Homes Under the Hammer.
Rochester’s historic Conservancy Building is to feature on the BBC show tomorrow after it was sold at auction.
The run-down building next to the Guildhall Museum was initially filmed by the TV crew after being snapped up for £590,000 week exceeding its guide price at the end of last year.
Presenter Martin Roberts was given a tour of the Grade II listed property by the new owners, Nucleus, which has grand designs to transform it into an arts centre.
The team returned about two weeks ago to film the progress of the £170,000 project and will be heading back before the official launch on Wednesday, May 22 with it being opened to the public the following day.
Property expert Mr Roberts was impressed with the renovation work and spent hours on his visit even climbing a ladder up to the top of the tower.
"This is very much a new venture for us. This is very much a creative arts centre for the community..." Holly Aird
There are plans for at least 10 studios, a gallery and cafe in the High Street building which has served as an annexe to the museum.
Holly Aird, a Nucleus manager, said: “This is very much a new venture for us. This is very much a creative arts centre for the community.
“We need to see what works for Rochester. We shall be trialling ideas for about a year.”
Since the trust’s Nucleus gallery in Rochester closed for business reasons last year, members have been looking for another venue in the heart of the town.
Trustee Dalia Halpern-Matthews, who led the tour, said Mr Roberts told her it was one of the most fascinating places he had seen.
She said: “He kept saying ‘wow’ and ‘this is amazing’ and he was keen to come back and see the work we have done.
The other Nucleus centres in Chatham, the cafe in the High Street and the hub in Military Road, remain open as normal.
The programme goes out at 10am on BBC1 but will also be on the iPlayer.
