Local artisans and businesses are invited to explore a historic grain barn at Pierrepont Farm, Surrey, where five commercial units will soon be available for rent as part of a thriving creative community.
The Countryside Regeneration Trust (CRT), a charity promoting nature-friendly farming, is currently overseeing a £1.2 million renovation of the Grade II-listed barn.
Two viewing days have been scheduled for potential tenants to visit the site and get a feel for the space.
The events will take place on 27 May from 3pm to 5pm and 28 May from 10am to 12pm, offering local businesses the opportunity to meet with Kerriann McLackland, head of estates at CRT.
There is no need to register for the viewing days, and visitors are asked to follow the signs for parking. Full information on how to apply for a unit, which will be ready from late summer, will be available on the day.
Kerriann said: “We’re excited to open the space for local businesses to explore. Whilst we’ve already received lots of interest, anyone who would like to know more about the spaces available is warmly welcome to attend one of our viewing days. If you haven’t already seen the particulars, these can be downloaded from the CRT’s website at www.thecrt.co.uk/grain-barn.
“We want to give people the chance to visualise how they can make this space their own. We’re eager to see a diverse range of businesses join this creative hub, complementing the artisans already based at the nearby Old Dairy, which we also renovated.”
The project is focused on preserving the grain barn’s historical features while incorporating innovative, sustainable building techniques to make the space as eco-friendly as possible.
It recently reached an exciting milestone with the removal of the temporary roof and the first section of slate now in place.
Architect Robin Sjoholm, from eco-building specialists Outpost, said: “It has been a journey to get here, but it’s fantastic to see the roof fully covered and watertight. The restoration team has put a lot of effort into preserving the timbers, and while most will be concealed, some exposed elements will allow us to appreciate the craftsmanship in the final build.
Looking ahead, Robin noted that the next phase of work will focus on closing up the gable ends of the building. Once the scaffolding is removed, attention will shift to the floors and internal walls, which will feature hemp blocks for insulation, aligning with the environmentally conscious goals of the project.
He added: “This is such an exciting step because using natural building materials is key to our sustainable approach. Working with a client who is interested in pursuing this form of restoration, keeping the integrity of the building and using natural building material, is very rewarding.
“The contracting team are showing real skill and dedication to the restoration of the building, and the care and detail going into the timber restoration is wonderful.”
The restoration has been made possible thanks to an incredible donation made by the late Stephen Freeman in his will.
