From acquisition to opening

Project timeline

The main stages from acquisition through design, funding, restoration and opening.

Heritage Revival Fund

Funding the next stage

The plans for 19 Town Street are supported by the Architectural Heritage Fund through the Heritage Revival Fund, funded by the UK Government through the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Supported by the Architectural Heritage Fund

A Project Development Grant of up to £29,250 supports surveys, heritage assessment, design, consultation and business planning for the café and maisonette. This work will inform the restoration proposals and applications for capital funding.

About the Architectural Heritage Fund

An upstairs room showing exposed timber before refurbishment — The existing building is the starting point. Project photograph, July 2026.

Where we are

Current project status

The acquisition is complete. Development funding was awarded and the project publicly announced in October 2026. We’re now exploring the uses of both floors with the community and conservation specialists.

AcquisitionCompleted

The acquisition

Interim Spaces has acquired the former Madhatters café and upper-level maisonette.

The Madhatters shopfront at 19 Town Street — 19 Town Street. Photograph supplied by Len Ware.

October 2026Awarded

Development support

The Architectural Heritage Fund awarded a Project Development Grant of up to £29,250 through the UK Government-funded Heritage Revival Fund, towards surveys, design, heritage assessment, consultation and plans for operating and funding the project.

Existing timber beam and upstairs room — Existing fabric to investigate and understand, July 2026.

October 2026Completed

Public announcement

The acquisition and our plans to explore the building’s future have been publicly announced.

The Mad Hatter Café sign — The café’s sign. Supplied by Len Ware.

October 2026–February 2027In progress

Surveys and design

Over the next three to four months, we’ll investigate the building, work with conservation specialists and explore ideas for both floors with the community. We aim to complete this stage around January–February 2027.

The living room before refurbishment — The existing living room, July 2026.

From December 2026Target start

Temporary café programme

We aim to begin pop-ups, events and activities in December, subject to the space being suitable and available.

The café awaiting refurbishment — The existing café; temporary uses are subject to suitability.

Through early 2027Ongoing

Consents and capital funding

Work on the consents and capital funding needed for restoration and fit-out will continue through early 2027.

The rear courtyard and outbuildings — The rear of the property before refurbishment.

Late 2027Target

Accommodation ready

We aim to have the restored maisonette ready by late 2027. Overnight accommodation for visitors is one of the uses being explored.

AI-generated Georgian living-room concept — One possible Georgian interior, not an agreed design. AI-generated.

Mid to late 2028Target

Ground floor up and running

We aim to have the agreed ground-floor offer up and running by mid to late 2028. Its use will develop through consultation and planning.

The ground-floor café before refurbishment — The existing café; its future use is being explored.

Last updated 24 October 2026. Future dates are targets, subject to the agreed uses, consents, funding and works programme.