A house transformed : The restoration of 78 Derngate, Northampton

In 1998, a charitable Trust was formed to manage restoration of 78 Derngate. The original vision encompassed a restored 78, 80 as circulation and interpretation space, and 82 as a vibrant center for displaying and encouraging modern art and design. The plans for 82 also include a café, a shop and offices. Complementing sums already pledged from local sources, a grant of £999,000 from the Heritage Lottery fund in October 2001 brought enough money to begin Phase One, the careful restoration of 78 and the transformation of 80 into a display gallery, allowing access to 78 literally and metaphorically. Phase Two, the renovation of number 82, is scheduled to take place over the winter of 2005/06, after another round of fund-raising.