The current £8.371 million phase of Levelling Up and Historic England funded works at Tone Works comprises structural repairs and reroofing of the highly significant north-light roof structure of the 1893 Finishing Shed, as well as repairs to the adjacent Engine House, Motor Room and North Dry House structures. This work will protect the site’s unique, near complete collection of textile finishing machinery and evidence of three phases of power generation, from water and steam power through to modern day electricity generation. 

Careful consideration of the building’s heritage significance, durability, ongoing maintenance, access for repairs and sustainable power generation led to the selection of standing seam roof sheeting for the new roof covering of the Finishing Shed, bringing the abandoned 19th century structure into the 21st century, whilst carefully retaining its unique features within.

A new bat dormer has been designed into the roof repairs of the complex’s only loft space, allowing the site’s bat community to continue to thrive while enabling future usable spaces below.