The Heritage Centre would be much more than a replacement for The Hunt House and Club HQ. It is a focal point of education where the history and heritage of Rolls-Royce can be taught, a place where the crafts and skills of vehicle restoration can be maintained, a place of reference for all things relative to the detailed history of Rolls-Royce.
The architects were given the brief to draw up conceptual, visual plans for the benefit of Club Members but primarily as a Heritage Centre, situated in an area which is on a Tourist/Heritage trail to attract members of the public who are in a particular area for other things, not only to see the Heritage Centre.
Proposed Facilities include an Exhibition Space where Member and Club cars can be displayed. Lobby containing Rolls-Royce memorabilia and merchandise for sale. Workshops to display vehicle craftsmanship in a working environment.
Auditorium/Gallery a venue for groups and speakers.
Study/Library to view the many archive documents and drawings via an internal intranet. Café food refreshments and kitchen area.
It is intended that the entire complex would be ‘eco-friendly’, to include full photovoltaic electricity generation and geothermal/ground source heating provision to reduce running costs to the minimum possible.
The Heritage Centre would eventually be self-sufficient financially and would generate a surplus for its many charitable aims that the Foundation has always envisaged.
Once established the expectation for the Heritage Centre is for 100,000 paying visitors per year.
The land and build cost are estimated to be within a budget of £7-8 million depending upon timescale, inflation etc. the building would be designed so that it can be built in stages.
The proposal is for the Foundation to realise the sale of the Hunt House and use Club cash reserves. It is anticipated this could cover up to half of the funding and kick start the project which would take some 3 -4 years from inception. Donations from grants and support from stakeholders over this period could easily raise an estimated £3 million.
The services of a professional fundraiser are essential to this.
A year ago, it was announced that the Club and Foundation were to be brought closer together into a joint charitable status.
This is not only required to secure the future of the Foundation, but essential for the establishment of the Heritage Centre.
Photos by kind permission of P&A Wood