Phase two of our much-anticipated project is now complete

Final furlong for £14.5m Chester House Estate – Phase two of the much-anticipated project is now complete

Phase two of the much anticipated £14.5m Chester House Estate project has been completed in advance of the site’s planned opening in October.

The second phase of the project, joint funded by North Northamptonshire Council, West Northamptonshire Council and the National Lottery Heritage Fund included the completion of the Artisan Courtyard, Learning and Community Centre and events barn, with the third and final phase, the 17th Century Grade II* Farmhouse, restaurant and bed and breakfast, well on track to be completed in time for the opening of the site in October.

Business Manager, Jack Pishhorn says it’s now all hands on deck to furnish the buildings and welcome their tenants into the courtyard, with the likes of Saxby’s Cider, a farm shop, My Little Vintage and the Chester House gift shop all set to move in.

He said: “We’ve got a fantastic team of volunteers who are building bespoke furniture, a bar for the events space and fixtures that will beautifully furnish and compliment the buildings.

“We’re especially excited to be welcoming our educational partners including Moulton College, University of Leicester and the Creating Tomorrow Multi Academy Trust who will all have bases here to utilise the visitor and educational opportunities that will be available on site.

“It really does feel like we’re on the home stretch now.”

The project, near Irchester, is being supported by North Northamptonshire Council, West Northamptonshire Council and The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Cllr Helen Howe, North Northamptonshire Council Executive Member for Sport, Leisure, Culture and Tourism, said: “It’s great news that the next phase of the project has been completed. This phase will be of particular benefit to local residents with a farm shop and local producers on site, offering a real taste of Northamptonshire to everyone who visits. We are all really delighted to be in the final stages of this project and can’t wait to share it with you all. It will bring another great tourist attraction along the river Nene, to North Northamptonshire”

Cllr Jason Smithers, Leader of North Northamptonshire Council said: “I am delighted that the second phase of the project has been completed and look forward to seeing the courtyard and events spaces when they have been fully furnished”.

“The Learning and Community Department will be a huge asset to the wider Northants community.”

The final phase of the project will be the completion of the 17th Century Grade II* listed farmhouse which will house a restaurant and bed and breakfast. The restaurant will serve local produce and cater for events held in the new events space, as well as provide accommodation for wedding parties and tourists to the area.

The site, which dates back more than 10,000 years, will be free to enter and will open to the public in October, in time for the autumn half-term holiday.

For more information on the Chester House Estate project, sign up to the newsletter at www.chesterhouseestate.org/