Barnet (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Barnet Museum secures historic Tudor Hall for community use with a successful £1 million bid, preserving the landmark for local heritage and public benefit.
The board of governors for Barnet and Southgate College listed Tudor Hall, which was licensed by Queen Elizabeth I in 1573, for sale in December 2023 with a reference price of £1 million.
How did Barnet Museum secure Tudor Hall for community use?
Last year, the Barnet Museum started a campaign to prevent the hall from being sold to a private owner. The hall was previously available for rent as an event space.
The hall was successfully registered as an asset of community value (ACV) in May 2024 by the museum and a number of local heritage organizations. This designation permits a six-month halt on transactions to give priority to any community interest in the property.
After a charity, The Hadley Trust, committed £1 million in potential funding, the museum was able to present an offer, and the college approved it in December.
The museum has been given the sole right to purchase the Grade 2-listed structure, although the deal is still subject to contract.
The chair of Barnet Museum’s trustees, John Hall, said:
“The museum is hoping to exchange contracts by mid-April, subject to satisfactory property and legal due diligence, and to commence occupation of the building in the summer.”
According to John, a steering group led by trustee Scott Harrison was creating plans for the hall’s future preservation and use as well as determining the financial resources required to make this happen.
Mike Noronha, the curator of the museum, stated last year that there were possible plans to create a Wars of the Roses museum or center within the hall.
John said:
“The museum trustees are delighted to be involved in this exciting project which will secure it for the community, and are extremely grateful to The Hadley Trust and many local stakeholders for their unstinting encouragement and support.”
How did the local community respond to the museum’s proposal?
Locals have hailed the museum’s efforts to preserve Tudor Hall, acknowledging both its historical value and its potential as a center of culture.
As a sign of their dedication to preserving the hall for public use, locals and heritage organizations have taken an active part in fundraising campaigns to support the museum’s quest.
The planned “Wars of the Roses” museum or center has sparked a lot of interest among the local population, as many see it as a chance to improve Barnet’s cultural offerings and draw tourists.
It’s possible that the museum has hosted community gatherings to get opinions and suggestions from locals, encouraging a feeling of pride and participation in Tudor Hall’s future.