Work has now begun on a £3 million restoration project at our Almshouses on London Road in Derby.
The Grade II listed buildings, originally built in 1836, have provided homes for residents aged 60 and over for many years. Because of the age and historic nature of the buildings, there are some restrictions we have to work within. That said, all homes will be fully refurbished and modernised.
Each home will benefit from new kitchens and bathrooms, as well as new staircases to replace the existing steep ones. Wherever possible, original features will be carefully retained.
One of the biggest changes will be that each home will have space for its own washing machine. Previously, residents shared an on-site laundry room.
We have secured £1.4 million of funding from Homes England, alongside investment from the Trust.
There are currently ten homes (six facing London Road and four facing the internal garden). These will be reconfigured by combining two into one, creating larger, two-bedroom homes. Overall, the layout will be redesigned, reducing the number of homes from 23 to 17 and providing more spacious, practical living accommodation for everyone. The former Trust offices will also be converted into two new homes.
Externally, the focus will be on careful conservation and restoration, so the important buildings will look unchanged from the outside.
We are working with Matthew Montague Architects, and Allsopp Construction are carrying out the building work. The work will be completed in three phases, starting in March 2026. Residents have been temporarily rehoused and will be offered the opportunity to return once the work is complete.
This project has taken a great deal of work by the Trust to bring it to this stage. It is an important project for the Trust and for Derby. The Almshouses have been part of the city’s history for nearly 200 years. While the needs of our residents have changed over time, our responsibility remains the same – to provide safe, comfortable homes for many years to come.
