Part of bell foundry taken off 'at risk' register

Part of a historic bell foundry in Leicestershire has been taken off Historic England's Heritage at Risk Register after extensive repairs were completed.

The John Taylor and Co building in Loughborough was suffering from structural problems with "collapsing roofs" and rain "pouring in" when work began.

The foundry is split into two main blocks by Cobden Street and Historic England confirmed this week that the west side, which includes the main workshop and offices, had been removed from the register.

Ben Robinson, from Historic England, said it had been a "long old road" to get to this point.

He said: "Very often the big grand scheme to sort it out all in one go that is not going to happen, it is not going to happen overnight."

The west side of the foundry also includes the tuning facilities and board room, as well as the main courtyard which was historically built over.

Mr Robinson said much of the work, which was completed in 2024, involved "keeping the rain out" and included replacing "virtually all the roofs" on the west side.

A chimney which let out steam from an engine that provided power to the workshop was repointed and consolidated, while work was done to stop a gable end from "falling into the street".

The foundry buildings on the east side of Cobden Street still remain on the register but are not as "severely at risk", Mr Robinson added.

David Potter, a trustee from the Loughborough Bell Foundry Trust, said the boardroom on the west side was now "beautiful and bright" with its new roof.

He said: "As you see we have had a brand new roof, brand new skylights, all of the sub dividing walls have been demolished.

"So from what was a series of little rooms with a series of different lathes and machinery and all the paraphernalia that had been gathered over the centuries, it has all been cleared out and it has made the most beautiful board room."

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