Some good news at last for one of Bath’s most sensitive derelict sites. The old Newark Works – historic home to crane makers Stothert and Pitt for many years – may soon have a new occupier.
The defence firm BMT wants to bring its Bath workforce together at one location and has reached an outline agreement with B&NES to utilise at least part of the factory.
The company – one of the city’s biggest employers – could be putting in a planning application by next year.
The Newark Works – which date from 1857 – were part of the famous Stothert and Pitt heavy engineering works – manufacturing dockside and other heavy-duty cranes – until closure in 1987.
The Virtual Museum has been talking to Cllr Ben Stevens who is Cabinet member for Sustainable Development about the proposals. He also had news of a search for new top-end restaurants and the unique site thew Council hoped would attract them!
Cllr Bryan Chalker – who is Heritage Champion for B&NES – has been campaigning for years to bring the old Newark Works back to life as a museum embracing the whole city’s heritage and history. He told the Virtual Museum:
Independent, Lambridge Ward
“Bang goes my dream of seeing the Newark Works transformed into a Museum of Bath but at least there are signs that the building’s importance as an industrial relic is being recognised and I hope the re-development will be wholly sympathetic to the legacy of Stothert & Pitt.
It would be comforting to think that space could be found for one or two S&P relics to be exhibited, both inside and out, and perhaps a 19th century barge permanently anchored to remind people that the Avon was once a working river and vital asset to this great crane-making company”.
