AFTER MORE than 18 months of meticulous redevelopment, Worcester’s historic Royal Porcelain Works has been revamped as an exciting new venue for arts and entertainment.
It is officially opening its doors to the public during a celebration weekend of events this Saturday and Sunday.
The Royal Porcelain Works is adjacent to the Museum of Royal Worcester, also recently refurbished and newly open to the public, and is located close to the Severn riverside and Worcester Cathedral.
Over the opening weekend, visitors will be able to enjoy a vibrant schedule of live entertainment for all the family, including performances by ‘Rock Choir’, ‘Voices Unlimited’, the Samba Band, ‘Someone at the Door’ and The Butterfly Puppet Theatre. Together with the first outdoor Market Feast, featuring a mix of local artisan food stalls, there will also be face painting for children and craft demonstrations from local artists.
Visitors will also be able to tour the redevelopment, which at its heart has the beautifully restored 1851 Royal Porcelain showroom, transformed today into the Henry Sandon Hall.
Run by Worcester Live, the Henry Sandon Hall seats up to 140 people and is equipped to be a truly multi-functional venue, featuring a variety of entertainment including family friendly events, pop-up auctions, film clubs and ceilidhs.
Within the walls of the original historic factory is a bespoke creative space. The Samuel Driver White Suite incorporates a fine studio room for artists and craftspeople to showcase their work, and to run workshops and live demonstrations of their skills. Within the Suite is also a boutique board room available for private hire.
Adjoining the Henry Sandon Hall is The Nest, Worcester, sister to the hugely successful Nest, Ledbury. More than just a café, The Nest, Worcester offers an informal, eclectic, and welcoming space, open seven days a week.
The Nest looks out onto a beautifully planted courtyard area, created by award winning RHS Chelsea medal winning garden designer Olivia Kirk, featuring outdoor seating where visitors can eat, drink and enjoy the live music and entertainment.
The transformation of the Royal Porcelain Works has been enabled by the Bransford Trust, a supporter of the arts, music, education and wellbeing of local young people. With Worcester Live and The Nest, Worcester it aims to encourage greater participation in the arts, increase tourism and ensure a vibrant future for the historic location which has played an incalculable part in Worcester’s cultural identity and economic wellbeing for some 250 years.
Royal Porcelain Works Limited chairman, Colin Kinnear OBE said, “The redevelopment combines the very best of the Georgian/Victorian heritage of the old site, with the modern and exciting new exhibition spaces, arts and crafts and the fabulous deli/café – The Nest, Worcester.
“We want to work collaboratively, supporting artists, craftspeople and arts organisations of every kind, so the creative traditions for which Worcester is known live on.”
Marketing and Development Manager Alice Brunt said: “We are looking forward to inviting visitors to join us for the opening weekend which will be a great opportunity for people to see what we are doing – and is a wonderful showcase for us and a taster of the fabulous events and activities we have lined up at Royal Porcelain Works throughout the year.”
