Westmoreland House

Westmoreland House was a building at Nos. 104–106 Stokes Croft, Bristol, next door to the Carriage Works.

Westmoreland House in 2006, with the Carriage Works next door to the right.
Site of Westmoreland House in 2020, with the facade of the demolished Carriage Works, next door, held in place by scaffolding.

The building was opened in January 1966 by Lady Westmorland (wife of David Fane, 15th Earl of Westmorland) which it was named after. It was built to house the headquarters of the Spastics League Club, a bonus scheme affiliated with the Spastics Society where members could receive weekly gifts.[1] The club and headquarters closed in 1982 after they were unable to pay a £250,000 tax bill, and the building has not been legally occupied since.[2]

Since the closure of the Spastics League Club, Westmoreland House has become increasingly derelict and a popular place for graffiti artists to display artwork.[3] This has led to English Heritage classifying the whole Stokes Croft conservation area "at risk".[4] The premises was bought by Comer Homes for redevelopment in 1989, but plans stalled after they were unable to agree with the city council on how to proceed. The building was planned to be redeveloped by the South West Regional Development Agency, but plans were cancelled in 2009 following budget cuts.[5]

Since 2007, local community group People's Republic of Stokes Croft have led initiatives to envisage the redevelopment of the site as a community asset.[6]

In 2014, the Mayor of Bristol announced Westmoreland House would be demolished, while the neighbouring Carriage Works would be spared and turned into flats as it is a Grade II* listed building. Local residents, who enjoy the diversity and anticommercial nature of Stokes Croft were unimpressed with the plans and hoped something more inspiring could be designed. Campaign material against the redevelopment was posted to the front of Westmoreland House, including a hand-painted sign on the former main entrance that reads "No to luxury flats – yes to affordable homes"[4]

Demolition of Westmoreland House was scheduled to begin in July 2018, but delayed owing to the discover of asbestos.[7] Demolition began on 21 November 2018.[8]

As at March 2020, the site is still empty, rebuilding work has not begun.

References
  1. Bryne, Eugene; Wilkes, Joseph (2 December 2017). "The history of the Carriageworks in Stokes Croft and the 40 year saga of its dereliction". Bristol Post. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  2. "Bristol eyesore Westmoreland House in Stokes Croft should be demolished, says mayor". Bristol Post. 17 February 2014. Retrieved 20 July 2016.
  3. "Tell us your stories of city eyesore Westmoreland House". Bristol Post. 16 September 2014. Retrieved 20 July 2016.
  4. "Bristol's Stokes Croft: Battle over 'home' of Banksy". BBC News. 8 April 2015. Retrieved 20 July 2016.
  5. "What next for Westmoreland House?". BBC News. 9 June 2009. Retrieved 8 August 2016.
  6. "PRSC Website". prsc.org. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  7. "Westmoreland House Demolition delayed by asbestos discovery". Bristol Post. 3 August 2018. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
  8. "Westmoreland House in Stokes Croft has started being demolished". Bristol Post. 21 November 2018. Retrieved March 18, 2020.
  • Carriage Works – includes history and details on the Carriage Works and Westmoreland House
  • Westmoreland House – images of the derelict structure, with graffiti artwork

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