Chester House
Businesses are playing a key role in the future of the Chester House Estate which has undergone a £14.5 million transformation.
New life has been breathed in to the 84-acre scheduled monument built on a former Roman town at Irchester, near Wellingborough. And while the public can now discover “the jewel in the county’s crown”, it has also given business opportunities to producers and artisans across Northamptonshire.
Business already taking a space include Irchester-based Saxby’s Cider which has created a brew which uses apples from the estate. Earlier this year Moulton College announced a partnership with the estate for students to get hands-on experience.
The project was jointly funded by North and West Northamptonshire Councils and the National Lottery Heritage Fund. It includes the restoration and conversion of the 17th-century Grade II* listed farmhouse into a restaurant and bed and breakfast, Northamptonshire Archaeological Resource Centre, a learning centre, a museum and an events and wedding space, as well as the flagship farmhouse.
Business manager Jack Pishhorn has co-headed the project since early last year. “We have made some bold and exciting decisions, ensuring the project would have a sustainable business model that would not be a burden on taxpayers,” said Mr Pishhorn. “Along the way we have made some long-lasting partnerships and been proud to support local charities and businesses.”
The Chester House Estate project has been supported by a grant of more than £3.96 million from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and with a Government Culture Recovery Fund for Heritage award of £719,700. The NLHF describes the site as “a nationally significant part of our heritage”.