Operation Regeneration is a local project led by RBPT, alongside consultation partners the National Innovation Centre for Rural Enterprise (NICRE). The project has sought to bring local people together to shape the future of The Old Grammar School in Richmond (also known as Richmond Lower School), turning it into an asset for the community, and preserving this iconic Richmond building for generations to come.
With support of North Yorkshire Council’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund programme, RBPT kicked off renewed feasibility studies back in April 2024.
Chris Brown, Chief Executive Officer of RBPT said: “Receiving the support of North Yorkshire Council and their UK Shared Prosperity Fund programme was pivotal in allowing us to restart work in trying to save The Old Grammar School. At the core of our charity is building preservation, so it is our absolute duty to ensure this magnificent, listed building is preserved for future generations”.
After spending the Spring re-analysing the site and its condition, the Operation Regeneration team moved into the public consultation period. Throughout June, July and August; they focussed on talking to the people of Richmond and Catterick Garrison, at numerous in person events, to gather their views on the future of The Old Grammar School. These outreach sessions culminated with an Open Day which was held in the grounds of the building. An online survey also ran for the full summer period giving visitors and residents, from both the local area and further afield, an opportunity to have their say.
In September, RBPT and NICRE hosted a number of workshops and presentations for business and community organisations; giving the team real insight into how the site could benefit the local economy and its people.
In addition to this, the team also spent considerable time visiting various youth settings to listen to the young voices in Richmond. Although young people were invited to contribute to the summer consultation, the team also wanted to gather their ideas in settings that were familiar, and where they felt comfortable. The scope of this engagement included primary, secondary, homeschool and extracurricular.
Over 1,200 young people contributed to the consultation and almost 900 members of the community; in addition to the hundreds of people who chatted to the Operation Regeneration team when out and about over the summer period. This level of engagement has given a fantastic breadth to the consultation, with a vast spectrum of views and ideas for future regeneration of the site.
Dr Natalie Partridge, Research Associate and Project Lead at the National Innovation Centre for Rural Enterprise said: “From the outset, the community of Richmond and beyond were enthusiastic about this new consultation into the future of The Old Grammar School. It’s clear that the site sits in the hearts of many and we’d like to extend our thanks to all those who took the time to engage with us. The ideas generated, and the detail and consideration behind each suggestion, have given our team a fantastic footing to advise RBPT accurately on what the community wants and needs”.
The Operation Regeneration team have now appraised all proposed uses, to tailor a cohesive site offer that will serve the community for generations to come. A detailed business plan is now being drawn up for consideration by the building owners, North Yorkshire Council.
RBPT will be attending County Hall at the start of February 2025 to present this business plan. Subject to a formal decision by North Yorkshire Council (NYC) and its members, the Operation Regeneration team will be delighted to announce the plans for the future of The Old Grammar School; likely in Spring of 2025.
Local Councillor Stuart Parsons said: “Following extensive consultation – especially with young people – I really hope that the RBPT receives support from NYC for their detailed plan. The Lower School site deserves a solid future and at long last some serious investment”.
The community, of all ages, can be assured that their voices have been heard and Operation Regeneration continues to gather pace. Stay up-to-date with any updates on Facebook: facebook.com/TOGSrichmond.
Find out more about the specifics of the consultation process: nicre.co.uk/TOGSrichmond