The idea
Our project will open up to the public the undercroft of a Grade II listed building which has been unused for more than a decade and is one of the very few buildings from Deptford’s dockyard that are still standing.
We will create a destination in Deptford to showcase the area's ship-building heritage, encouraging more people to visit and enjoy the beautiful riverfront location.
Our plan is to restore and fit out the undercroft, preserving and enhancing the historic structure, and provide new facilities including a public event and display area and a workshop for building the ship’s model and small wooden boats, where we can train apprentices in related skills. The display area will house artefacts specific to Deptford's maritime history.
We will establish a base for the Lenox Project, which aims to build a full-size wooden ship on the neighbouring site at Convoys Wharf.
We will make these new facilities accessible within the restrictions of the listed building consent.
What we'll deliver
- A public visitor centre and attraction for Deptford
- Skills training in woodwork and wooden boat building
- New event space and events programme
- Display space for Deptford dockyard and maritime artefacts
- A Deptford-centric maritime resource library
Why it's a great idea
We want to bring alive a forgotten but significant part of Deptford’s history, celebrating maritime heritage, wooden ship-building, and the rich social history of the area.
With the planned redevelopment of the former Royal Dockyard we have been inspired by the need to preserve and celebrate the heritage and character of this part of Deptford and prevent it being lost.
We want to offer training and apprenticeships, particularly in 'eye-to-hand' skills and heritage crafts, offering new routes to employment.
The Lenox Project charity already has strong support in the local community and having a base will give us the opportunity to build on this and expand our programme of events and outreach.
We have been inspired by projects in France, Sweden and Spain where replica ship construction has rejuvenated public interest in maritime heritage, dockyard history and ship-building crafts.
Steps to get it done
- Restoration of fabric of undercroft
- New facility building works
- Fit out of workshop
- Fit out of event space and office
- Soft opening event for backers
- Open to the public
We are bringing into public use an historic premises which would otherwise be inaccessible, and in a way which links directly to its history. We are working with the building owner to preserve and restore a beautiful listed building. The building has a prominent riverfront site and is which in time will become more busy. Its location will enable us to engage with local residents as well as those who are using the Thames Path. The long term plan for the Lenox project is to build a replica 17th century naval ship on Convoys Wharf (the adjoining site) where the original ship was built. While the construction programme for the Convoys Wharf site remains unclear, this project secures an offsite location to establish the project and ensure interest is maintained.
