WORK is underway this month to improve the visitor experience at Ilkley Manor House.
The Manor House will be closed during January to enable the revamp of the customer toilets and kitchen facilities to go ahead.
Builders will move on site this week to begin the work, which will see the kitchen totally transformed to provide modern facilities that can be used by caterers, and in the ladies toilets, the layout will be altered to accommodate one extra cubicle.
The works, funded through generous donations from the Friends of the Manor House and the Chadwick Trust, are just part of the improvements planned for the Manor House over the next five years.
“We have exciting plans to improve our visitor experience,” said Roger Tilbrook, trustee of the Ilkley Manor House Trust.
“These works will not only improve the day-to day visitor experience, but will also provide people looking to hire the venue for celebratory events and weddings with better catering facilities.
“We gave a lot of thought before deciding to close the house in January as we know that people love to visit year round, but the works are really important to the future success of the building.
“We also wanted to ensure our volunteers, who work so hard throughout the year, have a bit of a break too!”
Updates on the work will be posted on social media throughout January.
The house will re-open on Saturday, February 1 and be open each Saturday and Sunday from 1.30pm – 4pm. Normal weekend opening times of 11am to 4pm will start from Saturday, February 29th.
The Spring programme will be out later in January and will be available on the website www.ilkleymanorhouse.org or pick up a programme at the Visitor Information Centre at the Town Hall or at the Manor House.
Mr Tilbrook added: “We look forward to welcoming our visitors back to the house on 1st February.”
The mid-14th century stone Ilkley Manor House and courtyard sits within the footprint of the Roman fort, Olicana and was opened by patron, Alan Titchmarsh in April 2018. The Trust’s vision is to create an ambitious heritage and creative quarter for the town. For further information, visit www.ilkleymanorhouse.org
Ilkley Manor House always welcomes new volunteers. Anybody interested in getting involved should email volunteer@ilkleymanorhouse.org
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