The Port House Project
Learn more about the restoration project of The Port House, Jedburgh, as well as the building’s history
Port House saved from Buildings at Risk Register
09.03.23
INTRODUCTION
SHBT is delighted to congratulate Jedburgh Community Trust (JCT) on the reopening of the Port House as a Community Resource Hub. The successful completion of the restoration project, which SHBT has supported since 2010, has seen this A-listed building saved from the Buildings at Risk Register and given new life for the benefit of the community for years to come.
JCT celebrated the completion of the works at the Port House with an open day in December 2022. The building has opened with local third sector organisation The Bridge as ground floor tenants, while HomeTown Hub have utilised the first floor as short term flexible working space.
There are still opportunities to lease space on a long term basis. The second floor fit out is currently being completed and offers a potential tenant scope to be involved. For more information please contact the Jedburgh Community Trust.
The Port House was designed by James Pearson Alison and built in 1900 for the Jedburgh Co-operative Store Company at a cost of £2,105. With its cast iron structure supporting large plate glass windows to give bright interiors, the building originally housed the Company’s registered office as well as ground floor shops and a drapery department on the first and second floors.
In later year after the Co-op vacated the Port House, the condition of the building fabric deteriorated and it eventually became vacant. It was purchased by the Jedburgh Community Trust in 2010 with the aim of restoring it to provide community and business space for the town.
SHBT assisted with the Feasibility Study was undertaken in 2010 by the Jedburgh Community Trust, which set out a number of potential uses for the building. A key ambition was to bring the Port House building fabric into a good condition of repair, retaining the original cast-iron structure along with reinstatement of the original façade at ground level.
The Jedburgh Community Trust continued campaigning for the building’s restoration and approached SHBT to assist them with the moving forward the project development in 2019 including identification of external funding sources and appoint of a conservation accredited design team. Funding was secured from a number of sources including the Architectural Heritage Fund, the Fallago Environment Fund, and the Co-op Good Causes fund however the award of significant funding from both Jedburgh Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme and the Scottish Government Town Centre Fund was crucial to allow the project to proceed.
Works to the Port House included repairs on a like for like basis to the historic fabric, minimal adaptation to the internal layout to suit the end-use of the building including toilet and tea making facilities and servicing for office accommodation. Disabled access was provided with the inclusion of a lift, and new services installed throughout including electrical supply and distribution, heating, water and drainage, ventilation and fire and security provision.
SHBT have also been appointed to assist the Jedburgh Community Trust in looking at the potential development of the rear “Bakery” building at the Port House to provide further space to complement the Port House accommodation. Funding has been received from South of Scotland Enterprise to develop a feasibility study and consult with the local community with a view to restoring and refurbishing this addition to the Port House complex. This project is ongoing.
Visit our project page
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