June 17th 2008

The important London landmark, Dollis Hill House in the London Borough of Brent is finally set to look forward to a safer and brighter future. The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has given the ‘green light’* for a grant of £1.2million to help save it from demolition and return the Regency manor to the community.

Situated within Gladstone Park, Dollis Hill House is steeped in history. It is a building of significant literary and political heritage, as Prime Minister William Gladstone’s former residence and Mark Twain’s favoured retreat in the 19th Century. Enjoying stunning and uninterrupted views of London as far as St Pauls Cathedral and the new Wembley Stadium the mansion was an important part of community life between the wars, and until 1974 used as a tea room and restaurant. Since then it has housed a catering college. Sadly, it has lain empty and disused since closure in 1989, and has even been the victim of several arson attacks in recent years.

The HLF funds will enable Training for Life, the award winning social enterprise charity, to work closely with the Dollis Hill House Trust and Brent Council to develop plans to save the building and return it to its former glory. The Grade II listed house can now look forward to being faithfully restored and extended, removed from the English Heritage ‘at risk’ register, and returned to its former use as a tearoom and restaurant.
Wesley Kerr, Chair of the HLF Committee for London, said:

"Dollis Hill House is rich in historical associations and has for 180 years been the focal point of one of London's most picturesque hillside parks. There is now a clear strategy to save this damaged and neglected "at risk" mansion and give it an impressive mix of educational, social and community uses . At HLF we believe the house can once again be the heritage and information hub of a fabulous public park, and a focal point for the surrounding area.

The Regency villa, still largely intact, is surrounded by what the famous American writer Mark Twain described as "noble trees" with panoramic vistas over London. As one of the great Victorian Prime Minister William Gladstone's favourite residences, it is arguably in a league with Chartwell and Hughenden. The HLF Committee for London was pleased to give the application a Stage 1 Pass and award funding towards development."

A programme of heritage activities will run within the restored house, bringing to life the history of the house, park and local area.  Heritage activities will include a permanent exhibition and community oral history project; heritage tea dances; annual History Study days, coinciding with national and regional heritage initiatives such as the Big Draw; and a series of lively historical lectures and debates. 

Gordon d’Silva, Chief Executive for Training for Life, said "This is a wonderful example of how local authorities, lottery money (Heritage Lottery Fund), corporate partners, Third Sector organisations and local people can come together to make a real difference. Restoring this wonderful building to its former glory is just one part of the story. Thereafter using it to train people, create jobs and generate income as a social enterprise is the best legacy one can provide".
 
Every year the house will also provide apprenticeships for 50 local unemployed people in a range of hospitality and heritage roles, and volunteering opportunities for 20 people.  Based on Training for Life’s track record of transforming people’s lives, a high proportion of these training opportunities will lead to sustainable employment with the charity’s industry partners and beyond. In partnership with LB Brent, all of the training and employment opportunities will reflect Brent’s regeneration priorities.

Gill Close, Chair of the Dollis Hill House Trust, said "After local people have worked for almost 20 years to save Dollis Hill House, we are absolutely thrilled that our partnership with Training For Life is finally going to bring the house back to being the vibrant heart of Gladstone Park and the local community for all to enjoy."

Sarah Teather, MP for LB Brent, said “This development money is fantastic news for Dollis Hill and I welcome the Heritage Lottery Fund’s support for the project. I am delighted that Training for Life has taken the mantle to save Dollis Hill House as it will mean that the people of Brent and visitors to the area will be able to enjoy this beautiful building once more as they have done in the past."

Commenting on the award Cllr Paul Lorber, Leader of Brent Council said "The council is delighted on behalf of Training for Life that their bid has found favour with the Heritage Lottery Fund. This brings them a step closer to restoring Dollis Hill House for local people."

The restoration of Dollis Hill House will see this area of London fully regenerated following a recent £722,000 HLF grant for the restoration of Gladstone Park in 2002. All profits generated through the tearoom, restaurant and events facilities at Dollis Hill House will be ploughed back into the project, securing the future of the building for the community that has long campaigned to save it. 

Notes to Editors:

·         *A ‘Stage One Pass’ means that money has been earmarked by HLF for the project in question. Competition at this stage is tough, and while a Stage One Pass does not guarantee funding, it is an indication of positive support, and money for the scheme is set aside. The applicant can then progress to Stage Two and submit a further, fully developed application to secure the full grant.  On occasion, at Stage One, funding will also be awarded towards the development of the scheme.
Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) sustains and transforms a wide range of heritage for present and future generations to take part in, learn from and enjoy. From museums, parks and historic places to archaeology, natural environment and cultural traditions, we invest in every part of our diverse heritage.  HLF has supported more than 26,000 projects, allocating over £4billion across the UK, including including over £840 million in London alone, with £3.153 million awarded to 57 projects in LB Brent. Website: www.hlf.org.uk.

·         Dollis Hill House is a Grade II listed regency villa originally built in 1825 on top of a hill in what is now Gladstone Park.

·         LB Brent is fully committed to the scheme, having granted a 125 year lease to Training for Life if a viable plan is developed and progressed.

·         Training for Life is an award winning charity and social enterprise that seeks to transform communities. Since 1995, the charity has created over 150 jobs as a business in itself and returned over 12,000 of the hardest to reach individuals to either full time education or employment.  It bases its activities within ‘Prospect Centre’s’; formerly disused buildings, restored through capital grants and returned to community ownership that has a present book value in excess of £10 million. . The organisation employs approximately 100 staff across its 6 Prospect Centres; the Charity’s turnover in 2007 was approximately £4 million.

·         The Dollis Hill House Trust was set up by members of the local community to
restore the house for the benefit of the community.