The Cricketers Restoration Project Continues as work commences on the next phase of cricketer’s restoration project
Swindon Heritage Preservation (the erstwhile the Mechanics’ Institution Preservation Trust) continues to champion the restoration of Swindon’s at-risk heritage buildings.
Since 1995, we’ve campaigned to protect Swindon’s rich industrial and social history. All with the aim of supporting community renewal, social benefit and civic pride. We’ve led the way in community-led restoration and conservation in Swindon. Seeking to realise the full potential of Swindon’s Railway Village Conservation Area. All for social benefit through engagement in:
- Heritage
- Culture
- Education
- Recreation and community activities.
We operate four buildings in the Railway Village:
- The Central Community Centre
- Railway Village Museum
- Bakers
- and the Cricketers.
And this year we’ve partnered with the council and GLL to advance the restoration of the Grade II* listed Health Hydro.
Since 2023 we’ve been restoring the Cricketers. We’re building it back into community use, supported by grant funding from the government, council, and Historic England. We recently secured a £250,000 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. That’s to complete the conservation of the remaining ground floor, including the bar area, kitchen, toilet block and storage room. We have appointed Beards to complete this phase of the restoration and work started earlier this week.
Following the completion of the work, scheduled for spring 2026, we aim to provide new facilities for the Railway Village. This will include:
- An information centre
- Retail
- Education opportunities and a new venue for events.
Supporting this will be a new kitchen providing refreshments at the bar. Use of the venue for events linked to the village museum will begin on completion of the venue. Some of our archive material will also go on display to complement the museum.
About The Mechanics’ Institution
Our trust was founded to save the Mechanics’ Institution. And we remain committed to securing a viable future for this Grade II* listed heritage asset that’s of national significance.
We recently secured a grant from the Theatres’ Trust to update the 2020 viability assessment. It will set out in detail the basis for a commercially viable future. January 2026 will see the revised assessment. We we look forward to sharing our findings and recommendations with you then.
It’s our belief that 2026 represents the best opportunity to save the Mechanics’ Institution since it closed in 1986. Work on ownership, future uses and grant funding opportunities are now at an advanced stage.
The progress made in revitalising the Railway Village quarter as a renewed centre for community, commerce, and culture is the culmination of many years of hard work by the current and previous administration. It’s our hope that we can continue to lead a bipartisan consensus on the vital importance of heritage conservation in securing Swindon’s future.
Phase three work commences
On Monday 17th November our contractor Beards commenced work on the ground floor with the first task to review the flooring. It revealed some issues which have been overcome allowing for the addition of new flooring in the first week.
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