About Us

Richmondshire Building Preservation Trust

Richmondshire Building Preservation Trust (RBPT) is a non-profit registered charity dedicated to rescuing the historic buildings that make Richmondshire what it is. We adopt, restore and care for buildings at risk - and reimagine them as vibrant, sustainable spaces for the whole community.

We believe communities are enriched when heritage buildings are reimagined and preserved. Our mission is to save historic buildings at risk in Richmondshire by restoring their character, honouring their stories, and transforming them into vibrant spaces for everyone.

As a charity, RBPT is the parent organisation for The Station, The Old Grammar and RBPT Enterprises. The income these generate is reinvested directly into our charitable work - saving more of Richmondshire’s heritage.

Everything we do is guided by four values:

Integrity | Culture | Impact | Partnership

We operate with integrity in all that we do, building a culture we are proud to be part of. We are committed to making a meaningful difference to our community and to Richmondshire’s heritage - working in partnership as guardians of that heritage, protecting it for future generations.

We aim to deliver this through our three core aims Preserve, Restore, Inspire.

Led with care, run with integrity

RBPT is governed by a voluntary Board of Trustees who bring expertise in heritage, finance, business, law and community life. Together they set our strategy, safeguard our charitable purpose and make sure every decision serves our mission and the people of Richmondshire.

Our day-to-day work is led by our Chief Executive and team, supported by our valued Patrons. We are committed to transparency and good governance: we report openly on our work, manage our finances prudently, and hold ourselves to the highest standards as guardians of public trust and of Richmondshire’s heritage.

PRESERVE

We protect what matters - for good

Saving a building is only the beginning. Preserving it means making sure it is cared for, funded and open to the community for decades to come. That takes more than goodwill - it takes a sustainable model, careful stewardship and responsible leadership.

Every building in our care has a plan for its future. We reinvest the income our venues generate back into heritage, build reserves so we can weather the unexpected, and hold ourselves to the highest standards of conservation and environmental responsibility. We treat the buildings we look after as a trust passed to us - and one we intend to pass on in better shape than we found it.

This is how your support compounds: a donation today doesn’t just fix a roof, it helps sustain a model that will protect Richmondshire’s heritage long into the future.

CTA - Help us protect Richmondshire’s heritage for good — Donate

RESTORE

We bring buildings back to life

Across Richmondshire, historic buildings stand empty and at risk - too costly to maintain, too precious to lose. We step in where others can’t, rescuing these buildings and restoring them to the highest conservation standards, then giving them a new purpose the whole community can share.

Restoration is painstaking work. We honour each building’s story and character while making it fit for modern life - sustainable, accessible and full of activity. Our track record at The Station proves what’s possible: a derelict station transformed into one of the region’s most loved destinations.

We’re building a pipeline of rescues, developing a model that can be repeated again and again. But every restoration begins with belief - and with the support that turns a building at risk into a building reborn.

CTA - Be part of the next rescue — Donate

INSPIRE

We spark creativity, learning and belonging

A restored building is only truly alive when it’s full of people. That’s the part that matters most to us - the school group on their first cinema trip, the new friendship made at a workshop, the young person who discovers a talent they didn’t know they had.

Through a year-round programme of events, learning and creative activities, we connect people of all ages and backgrounds with their heritage and with each other. We work hand in hand with schools, community groups and local organisations so that everyone - whatever their age, background or means — feels welcome and finds something here for them.

This is heritage as a living thing: not behind glass, but woven into everyday life, building skills, confidence and a sense of belonging across Richmondshire.

CTA - Help more people discover what they’re capable of — Donate

Our Trustees

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Our Team

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Our Patrons

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