We began restoring our former framework knitters’ workshop in spring 2017, when we received planning approval and listed building consent for our proposed works. Following four years of research and planning, sourcing reclaimed materials and drawing up plans, elevations and window sections by hand, we were finally ready to go!

We’ve carried out as much of the work as possible ourselves and have developed a number of highly valuable skills, such as building and re-pointing with lime mortar and glazing with linseed oil putty. We used traditional and appropriate materials throughout the project: the non- ‘breathable’ modern masonry paint was stripped from the external walls; all cement mortar has been removed and the whole building re-pointed with lime mortar; finally we have repainted the previously lime washed and painted walls using ‘breathable’ Keim mineral paint.

We couldn’t have done it without the help of some highly skilled and amazingly helpful friends, family and neighbours, plus a few local specialists: Alan Cross Ltd. Cabinet Makers who re-made the huge wooden windows to the exact specifications of the originals; Irony Creative Metalwork who fabricated bespoke steel fixing plates and wall ties; and J N Supplies who carried out repairs to the ground floor timber lintels, which had severely degraded, affecting the structural integrity of the building above.Two years after commencing the restoration work, in spring 2019 we ‘moved in’ and began designing, constructing, painting and signwriting our hand painted signs from here.