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Matthew Mckeague @memckeague.bsky.social · 10h

The new centre, designed by, Tonkin Liu, houses masons’ workshops, digital fabrication tools, & a hall of residence for apprentices. Sounds like lots of learning here that might be applied elsewhere - but that it's not straight-forward, with lots of trial and error about what works. V interesting!

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Matthew Mckeague @memckeague.bsky.social · 10h

Up in York today for a meeting and was very lucky to be able to have a look around the new York Minster Centre of Excellence for Craft Skills. Fascinating how new technology is being incorporated into centuries old skills and processes.

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Reposted by Matthew Mckeague

The Architectural Heritage Fund @archhfund.org.uk · 1d

🔔 Funding announcement - a new life ahead for the Old Store!

We have awarded a grant to Redruth Revival CIC, one of our #HeritageDevelopmentTrusts, to support plans to repurpose the Old Market Store on Fair Meadow in Redruth as a new community-facing cycle hub.

Learn more:
➡️ bit.ly/4pZJ2SB

Concept proposal for the Old Market Store and Fair Meadow Car Park, Redruth. People can be seen walking and sitting down outside the building as children run around and play on the newly landscaped path. One person walks past the building with their bicycle. Credit: Redruth Revival CIC and SEED Landscape Design.

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Matthew Mckeague @memckeague.bsky.social · 6d

'Arguments that adaptive reuse might stymie architectural freedom are dispelled by the sameness of most contemporary urban redevelopment.' > 💯 spot on by @edwinheathcote.bsky.social. To his highlights of reuse schemes, I'd add the hundreds of community-led ones in the UK. www.ft.com/content/0ae2...

Adapt or die: the architects pioneering a new wave of building reuse

Thanks to innovators and smart policy initiatives, demolition is becoming more unfashionable. But is the tide changing fast enough?

www.ft.com

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Reposted by Matthew Mckeague

Matthew Mckeague @memckeague.bsky.social · 7d

What do we do with our former department stores? Well, Age Concern Southend has one answer that seems to be working. Heard some lovely stories tonight of the impact The Haven has had (4000 visitors a month!) & the wider benefit it's had on the high street. Inspirational stuff. @archhfund.org.uk

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Matthew Mckeague @memckeague.bsky.social · 7d

What do we do with our former department stores? Well, Age Concern Southend has one answer that seems to be working. Heard some lovely stories tonight of the impact The Haven has had (4000 visitors a month!) & the wider benefit it's had on the high street. Inspirational stuff. @archhfund.org.uk

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Matthew Mckeague @memckeague.bsky.social · 7d

C2C is a train company I rarely use. But it is another one of our great lines that must consider plugs, tables and bins to be something you must only get on the Orient Express.

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Matthew Mckeague @memckeague.bsky.social · 10d

More discussion of this type of thing in Liverpool tomorrow!

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Matthew Mckeague @memckeague.bsky.social · 10d

The Buttermarket in Redruth or Mid-Steeple Quarter in Dumfries are really good examples of places where the process of regeneration is just as central as the end project. architecturetoday.co.uk/the-butterma...

The Buttermarket - Architecture Today

Somerset-based practice Thread has ‘re-revealed’ a collection of historic buildings in Redruth, North Cornwall, to create a vibrant hub for artists, food entrepreneurs and the local community.

architecturetoday.co.uk

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Matthew Mckeague @memckeague.bsky.social · 10d

"In the best examples of community regeneration I’ve seen, the work of renovation itself is one of the main ways social capital is restored." > Good piece this on Pride in Place.

James Plunkett @jamestplunkett.bsky.social · 10d

Some thoughts on Pride in Place, the UK government’s major new investment in neighbourhoods:

medium.com/@jamestplunk...

Drawing on a range projects we have underway at @kinship.works And hello from Liverpool and Labour Conference 👋

Pride in Place. Yes, but how?

The details will make all the difference

medium.com

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Reposted by Matthew Mckeague

Luke Tryl @luketryl.bsky.social · 12d

On Monday morning 10.30 we'll be having a timely discussion given the the Pride in Place announcements - discussing how heritage can play a role in community revival with @nationaltrust.org.uk @archhfund.org.uk

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Matthew Mckeague @memckeague.bsky.social · 12d

Special place is Govan Old!

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Matthew Mckeague @memckeague.bsky.social · 12d

Agree with this. There's a much more positive narrative that could be developed about all the good things that are happening in towns deemed 'left behind' or whatever. We should talk about the Piece Hall or the Peaks just as much as the problems.

Alexander Clarkson @aphclarkson.bsky.social · 13d

Many communities need this kind of help, but what is so irritating about the discourses underpinning levelling up is that instead of dispelling they end up reinforcing negative stereotypes about Derbyshire or Yorkshire even though many towns here like mine have great quality of life

Will Jennings 🗳️ @drjennings.bsky.social · 13d

Levelling-up is back!

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Matthew Mckeague @memckeague.bsky.social · 13d

More details here www.gov.uk/government/n...

Communities to seize control over high streets and restore pride

Local communities will be handed new powers to revitalise their high streets and restore pride in their towns.

www.gov.uk

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Matthew Mckeague @memckeague.bsky.social · 13d

And with what looks like impeccable timing, we have a session with @moreincommonuk.bsky.social & @nationaltrust.org.uk discussing just this type of thing on Monday! @jacktshaw.bsky.social @anooshc.bsky.social

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Matthew Mckeague @memckeague.bsky.social · 13d

Investments @archhfund.org.uk (and others) have put into social enterprise and heritage schemes in places like Sunderland is leading to wider investment e.g. www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/2548971... - lots to learn from this and similar projects. @twbpt.bsky.social

TV architect George Clarke reveals plans for former North East bank

TV architect George Clarke plans to transform Sunderland’s Grade II-listed 176 High Street West into Home of Books—a bookshop, café, and…

www.thenorthernecho.co.uk

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Matthew Mckeague @memckeague.bsky.social · 13d

“[This] announcement makes clear that investment in the public realm and high streets is back as a political priority..." > really good that it is, but will be absolutely key that it can support community-led schemes www.theguardian.com/politics/202....

Starmer gambles on ‘levelling up’-style initiative to tackle Reform threat

Deprived communities to be given tens of millions to patch up derelict shops, pubs and libraries and ‘restore pride’

www.theguardian.com

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Matthew Mckeague @memckeague.bsky.social · 14d

Reuse and brownfield sites have to be part of the approach - but it's not a binary choice. And a big brownfield site here in Cambridge just got cancelled because it's too expensive www.bbc.co.uk/news/article....

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Reposted by Matthew Mckeague

The Architectural Heritage Fund @archhfund.org.uk · 15d

Great news - two #AHFsupported projects have been shortlisted for the 2025 SURF Awards. 🎉

A big congratulations to:
- The Y Centre Perth, shortlisted for Housing and Regeneration.
- No 30 The Square Huntly, shortlisted for Community Led Regeneration.

surf.scot/2025-surf-aw...

A drop-in session at the Y Centre in Perth. There are people playing table football and pool. One person plays the guitar in the background while a group of people sit at a table and socialise. Credit - YMCA Tayside.

The exterior of Number 30 The Square, Huntly.

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Matthew Mckeague @memckeague.bsky.social · 15d

Let's make our public realm worse again

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Matthew Mckeague @memckeague.bsky.social · 17d

Murray Edwards College, Chamberlin, Powell and Bon (of Barbican fame). The buildings, the light, the water, the gardens, the art collection...all superb. And one of the few Cambridge colleges you can easily access!

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Reposted by Matthew Mckeague

Matthew Mckeague @memckeague.bsky.social · 20d

If I was looking for a regeneration model that could provide answers for large parts of the country, I would very much be looking into the work of Inner City Trust.

The Architectural Heritage Fund @archhfund.org.uk · 21d

🔎🏚 #HeritageDevelopmentTrusts Spotlight – Inner City Trust.

The Inner City Trust restores heritage buildings, supports communities, and enables job creation, advancing the physical, social and economic regeneration of Derry-Londonderry.

Learn more: 👇
ahfund.org.uk/projects/inn...

The exterior of Bishop’s Gate Hotel. Credit - Tony Monaghan.

AHF visit to Derry in 2024 to see 17-20 Magazine Street under development. Credit - Tony Monaghan.

The view of the completed 17-20 Magazine Street from the city walls. Credit - Jim McCafferty for Inner City Trust.

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Reposted by Matthew Mckeague

Matthew Mckeague @memckeague.bsky.social · 20d

If you're at Labour conference, @archhfund.org.uk is joining @moreincommonuk.bsky.social & @nationaltrust.org.uk to discuss how heritage & community driven regeneration should be central to reviving places & civic pride. Looking forward to it! @patrickhurley.bsky.social @anooshc.bsky.social

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Matthew Mckeague @memckeague.bsky.social · 20d

If I was looking for a regeneration model that could provide answers for large parts of the country, I would very much be looking into the work of Inner City Trust.

The Architectural Heritage Fund @archhfund.org.uk · 21d

🔎🏚 #HeritageDevelopmentTrusts Spotlight – Inner City Trust.

The Inner City Trust restores heritage buildings, supports communities, and enables job creation, advancing the physical, social and economic regeneration of Derry-Londonderry.

Learn more: 👇
ahfund.org.uk/projects/inn...

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Matthew Mckeague @memckeague.bsky.social · 20d

If you're at Labour conference, @archhfund.org.uk is joining @moreincommonuk.bsky.social & @nationaltrust.org.uk to discuss how heritage & community driven regeneration should be central to reviving places & civic pride. Looking forward to it! @patrickhurley.bsky.social @anooshc.bsky.social

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