Our Projects: The New Room, Bristol

Built in 1739, The New Room in Bristol is the oldest Methodist Chapel in the world and the foundation of the early Methodist movement. It was used by John Wesley and the early Methodists as a meeting and preaching place and the centre for helping and educating the needy members of the community.

The New Room was in desperate need of improvement and expansion. The existing facilities lacked space to welcome visitors and properly tell the story of the Wesleys. The archives were unsuitably housed and there was inadequate space for its extensive library. In addition, there were no educational facilities and insufficient refreshment amenities available. The New Room Trustees recognised this and undertook a successful fundraising campaign to safeguard the future of this remarkable building.

With extensive heritage experience Synergy were appointed as Cost Consultants on this exciting project. The scheme comprised the construction of a new three storey building in the Horsefair Courtyard at the rear of the existing New Room.  The new building seamlessly links to the New Room by a glass roofed atrium. The building provides meeting rooms, kitchen, café, refreshment areas and toilets. It also provides vital education and resources facilities to house the archives and library as well as an education room to offer opportunities to visitors, especially the young.

  • Client: The Trustees of the New Room
  • Sector: Heritage
  • Services: Cost Consultancy
  • Contract: £2.2 million

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