Completed Projects | Medieval Hall | Withey's Yard | Cainscross Toll House | Arundel Mill House | Anti-Slavery Arch | Brunel Goods Shed Phase 1 | Brunel Goods Shed Phase 2 | HLF Community Action | SWAPT Heritage Fair | Plaques
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The Brunel Goods Shed is different to Stroud Preservation Trust's other projects: the Trust has been custodian of the Goods Shed for over quarter of a century whereas other buildings were passed on to new users quickly. The signing of the sublease with Stroud Valleys Artspace in May 2011 was the culmination of years of persistent hard work by members of the Trust, raising funds, maintaining and improving the building and negotiating with possible users. The Goods Shed was built in 1845 to a standard design by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, and is now the only survivor of this type. It is a distinctive example of industrial architecture in Brunel's Tudor Gothic revival style with fine buttresses, stonework and arches. A 2 storey office extension was built around 1890 at the west end. Until 1966, the Goods Shed was a busy interchange used for transferring goods to road vehicles, at first horse drawn carts and later lorries. Out of use, the building was open and vulnerable and fell into disrepair. In 1984 British Rail removed the slate roof which had become dangerous to the public. The building was listed Grade 2 in 1985 at the request of Stroud Preservation Trust and upgraded to Grade 2 Star in 1989. This elegant, industrial building, designed by one of England's greatest engineers, had been considered a possible project soon after Stroud Preservation Trust was formed. In 1986, after two years of complex negotiations, the Trust agreed a 40 year lease with British Rail. Fundraising began with the appeal patron being Reverend W. Awdry, author of the 'Thomas the Tank Engine' books, who had retired to Stroud. Major repairs and improvements, including a new slate roof, stonework repairs and installation of some services, were carried out in 1988 at a cost of £130,000. The Goods Shed had been rescued from dereliction but needed a user to secure its future. |