Shildon Railway Institute has secured a combined investment of £769,771 to undertake urgent repairs to its Grade II listed historic building, marking a major milestone in efforts to secure the future of one of County Durham’s most significant community heritage assets.

The funding package comprises £617,905 from Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Capital Fund grant programme. This new grant programme has been launched to support urgent repairs and regeneration of historic buildings at risk, particularly in deprived areas, aligning with government priorities on community wellbeing, economic growth, and levelling up. A further £151,866 has been awarded through Durham County Council’s Towns and Villages Investment Programme, with the combined funding package supporting critical repairs primarily above the building’s roofline to prevent further deterioration of the building and secure its long-term future.

Founded in 1833, the Institute still plays an important part at the heart of community life in Shildon, continuing to serve local people as it first set out to do almost two centuries ago. The project will help protect not only an important historic building, but also the social, community and cultural activities that take place within it.

The funding follows more than seven years of work by the management committee, members, volunteers, stakeholders and advisory partners towards devising a sustainable future for the Institute. This first phase of a wider restoration programme, the project will stabilise the building’s condition, creating the foundations for further future development, and ensuring the Institute can continue serving future generations.

Chair of the Institute, Dave Reynolds said: “When our founders established the Institute in 1833, they hoped it would bring benefit to ‘generations as yet unborn’. Nearly 200 years later, we remain committed to that promise. This extraordinary support from Historic England and Durham County Council is about much more than repairing a historic building. It is a tremendous vote of confidence in our community, our heritage and our determination to ensure the Institute continues to enrich lives for generations to come.”

Iona Howell, of Mosedale Gillatt Architects, and lead architect on the project said: “Having worked closely with Shildon Railway Institute over the past year on the future of the building, we’re delighted to hear that they have been successful in gaining funding for these much needed roof works. By addressing these urgent repairs, we are not only preserving a valued historic building but also protecting a place that remains at the heart of the community. We look forward to working with them to deliver this project over the next 12 months.”

Louise Brennan, Director of Regions, Historic England, said: “Historic buildings are an important part of what gives places across England their character and identity, and they can be powerful assets for the communities around them. By investing in buildings at risk, we have an opportunity not only to protect important heritage, but to unlock their potential, breathe new life into historic places and showcase what makes communities distinctive.

“This funding will support urgent conservation needs while helping projects move towards sustainable futures, whether through continued use, new uses or bringing valued buildings back into active use. We are pleased to support projects across England that demonstrate how investment in heritage can help create stronger, more distinctive and more vibrant places for the future.”

£617,905 is being funded by Historic England’s Heritage At Risk Capital Fund grant scheme.

Cllr Karen Allison, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for leisure, tourism, regeneration and high street said: “We are delighted to be working with Shildon Railway Institute, alongside Historic England to secure the future of this beautiful, and historic building. This demonstrates why the Towns and Villages Programme is so important, and the benefits and regeneration it can bring to communities in the county. We are determined to continue protecting the heritage and history of our towns and villages however we can.”

£151,866 is being funded by Durham County Council’s Towns and Villages Investment Programme.