Wells Maltings
Project Overview
Project: Extension & Redevelopment of Grade II Listed Maltings
Client: The Wells Maltings Trust
Contract value: £4m
The Grade II listed Wells Maltings is situated in the heart of the conservation area in the North Norfolk seaside town of Wells. A striking brick and flint building, constructed in the 19th century to malt the local barley crop for export, it was subsequently used as a builder’s store and following acquisition by North Norfolk District Council in 1972, leased as an arts and community space.
The Wells Maltings Trust wished to update, enlarge and improve the much loved, if slightly time-worn, community asset to provide a first class community arts centre for North Norfolk, whilst also protecting & preserving the historic building and ensuring its future.
Having initially helped the Trust with cost advice in support of their successful £1.84m Stage 1 Heritage Lottery bid DCP were subsequently appointed as Quantity Surveyors on the project. Once the scheme passed Stage 2 of the Heritage Lottery funding process and received planning permission we were also appointed as project managers.
Wells Maltings, Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk
Spanning five years from inception to completion, DCP worked with three successive architectural practices on the project who helped to develop and realise the charitable trust’s aspirations.
A very restricted town centre site, a listed building, flexibility for multiple uses and specialist fit-out all brought challenges but we were delighted when Wells Maltings successfully opened to the public providing a heritage and learning centre, café, central box office and an auditorium and community space.
Director of Wells Maltings, Simon Daykin said: “We are absolutely delighted with the new Wells Maltings complex and really appreciate the hard work and professionalism of all those who have been involved. Wells Maltings is a significant asset to North Norfolk and we hope that it will be used as widely as possible by locals and visitors alike.”
The extension and redevelopment of Wells Maltings has won a number of awards including: the Best Public Service Building in the LABC East Anglia Building Excellence Awards 2019, the RICS East of England Community Benefit Award 2019 and the CABE Built Environment Awards 2021 Facilities Management or Refurbishment Award.