Oldway Mansion Estate secures £825,000 for vital repair work

Oldway Mansion Estate in Paignton has been given £825,000 from Historic England to fund urgent repairs.

The grant, awarded through Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Capital Fund, will support structural stabilisation and weatherproofing work on the Banqueting Hall, East Tower and retaining wall.

Torbay Council has warned that without this intervention, the structures will continue to deteriorate, increasing the risk of further damage and more extensive repairs in the future.

The Heritage at Risk Capital Fund supports the repair and conservation of nationally important heritage sites at risk, particularly where necessary work would otherwise be difficult to deliver.

The latest grant follows previous investment from Historic England to support work on Oldway’s West Tower, demonstrating continued efforts to preserve the estate’s historic features.

The Banqueting Hall and the East and West Towers form part of a group of Grade II listed buildings constructed in the late 19th century for Isaac Singer, the inventor of the Singer Sewing Machine.

The planned work aims to protect the buildings from further weather damage and improve their structural stability.

Cllr Chris Lewis, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Place Development and Economic Growth at Torbay Council, said: "This significant grant from Historic England is another important step in protecting and preserving Oldway.”

"The Banqueting Hall, East Tower and retaining wall are important elements of this historic estate, and these stabilisation works will help address urgent structural issues.”

Louise Brennan, Director of Regions, Historic England, added: “Oldway Mansion is a remarkable part of Torbay’s heritage and an important part of the character and identity of the local area.”

“Stabilising and weatherproofing these important parts of Oldway is a vital step in securing its future.”