UPDATE: Urgent repairs for the historic Henderson Old Hall have been officially approved, nearly two-and-a-half years after a devastating fire ravaged the building. The Newcastle City Council granted permission this week for restoration efforts to begin, aiming to restore the Grade II-listed site in High Heaton, Newcastle, which has been left in a “very poor and highly dangerous” condition.
The massive blaze in June 2023 destroyed the roof and severely impacted the structure, prompting extensive damage that required swift action. A council report indicates that water damage from firefighting efforts exacerbated the building’s decline. The first phase of restoration will include the reinstatement of the roof, replacement of windows, and addressing water ingress issues.
Work is set to commence in early 2026 and is expected to last up to 14 months. Meanwhile, the council is implementing temporary security measures, including installing CCTV, floodlights, and an intruder alarm, to curb anti-social behavior during reconstruction.
Newcastle University officials expressed their commitment to restoring this iconic building, stating, “We are taking the first steps towards bringing this Grade II-listed building back into use by making it permanently weather and watertight.” The restoration costs will be covered by insurance, ensuring a financial pathway for the project.
The council emphasized that the repairs would not harm the historic character of the site, which was originally built in the early 1930s as the first purpose-built accommodation for male students of Armstrong College. It remained in use until the late 2010s and was disused at the time of the fire, which resulted in two teenage boys being taken into custody in February 2024 for their involvement in the blaze.
Despite its current state, Henderson Old Hall has been identified as one of the UK’s most endangered heritage assets, according to Save Britain’s Heritage. As restoration efforts ramp up, the community eagerly anticipates the return of this beloved historical landmark.
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