Overview of the Trust

The Berwick upon Tweed Preservation Trust was founded in 1971. It owes its origins to a group of local people who were becoming increasing concerned about the threats they saw to the town's unique heritage. At that time Berwick contained the highest concentration in the country of listed buildings; in 1971 one hundred and thirty of these were either derelict or at serious risk of dereliction or destruction.

By acquiring properties, promoting their repair and refurbishment, and subsequently in most cases selling them on, the Trust has been able to promote the rehabilitation of many of Berwick's most outstanding and historic buildings. It acquired its first property nos 12 & 13 Quay Walls (see left picture) ‑ in 1972, and with assistance from the Borough Council and the Historic Buildings Council restored these important buildings, dating from 1825 and occupying a prominent position on the Quay Walls, to their former glory. Since then a further 10 projects carried out by the Trust have resulted in the restoration of no. 5 Quay Walls (1975‑76), The Lion House (1976‑77), no. 30 Ravensdowne (1977‑79), no.25 Palace Street (1982), no.3 Quay Walls (1986‑88), nos. 41 & 42 Bridge Street (1989‑91), Shoe Lane (1993‑94), the Quayside Lookout (1997‑98), Lowry's Seat (2001) and The Lowry Trail (2003). Current projects being pursued by the Trust include the Dewar's Lane granary, the Palace Green Pavilion, and the Bankhill Icehouse.

The Trust recognises that the types of projects, and the role the Trust itself plays in them, has broadened over time. The Trust will become directly involved in repair and restoration work which is essentially uneconomical, but will also assume a promotional and catalyst-type role in projects many of which have the potential to be economically viable if they can be 'de‑risked'. The Trust's charitable status, and the way it is able to access funding from a wide variety of sources, can play a key part in this de‑risking; and it will also increasingly be able to provide project management input to projects in which it is involved. Several further opportunities in the town have been identified as potential targets for the Trust's possible involvement.

The Trust (Registered Charity No. 516506) is a company limited by guarantee. It is run by a Council of Management comprising Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, and up to six lay members: additional members may be co‑opted from time to time on a temporary basis to become involved in specific projects. For the first time in many years, the Trust is employing a part‑time member of staff to provide professional administration and project management input. The Trust works in close co‑operation with officials of the Borough Council and with local civic and other voluntary organisations with an interest in safeguarding Berwick's heritage.