The restoration of Worksop Priory Gatehouse, one of the town's most important historic landmarks, is making visible progress, with Bassetlaw MP Jo White visiting the site last Friday to see the work first-hand.

The project is being led by Pinnacle Group and Heritage Lincolnshire, and funded through the Historic England Capital Fund Grant Scheme – a national pot of money designed to rescue and restore at-risk heritage buildings across the country.

What's happening on site

Skilled craftspeople and apprentices are carrying out careful stonework repairs and rebuilding damaged sections of the medieval gatehouse. The Priory Gatehouse dates back to the 14th century and is one of only a handful of surviving monastic gatehouses in the East Midlands. It has been on Historic England's Heritage at Risk register for a number of years, and this restoration represents the most significant investment in the building in living memory.

Jo White praised the effort of the team on site, highlighting in particular the work of project manager Fran Walker, and described the restoration as an example of what can be achieved when heritage funding reaches towns like Worksop.

“Last Friday, I was given a tour of the Priory Gatehouse in Worksop to look at the work that has been carried out by Pinnacle Group and Heritage Lincolnshire, paid for through the Historic England Capital Fund Grant Scheme.”

— Jo White MP, Member of Parliament for Bassetlaw

Why the Gatehouse matters

Worksop Priory itself is a Grade I listed building and one of the finest Norman churches in England, with parts dating back to around 1103. The Gatehouse, which stands separately on the approach to the Priory grounds, was originally the main entrance to the Augustinian monastery and has survived the Dissolution, centuries of weathering, and periods of neglect.

For many Worksop residents, restoring the Gatehouse is about more than just bricks and mortar – it's about reclaiming a piece of the town's identity. Community groups have long campaigned for the building to be brought back into use rather than allowed to deteriorate further.

What happens when the work is finished

Once the restoration is complete, the Gatehouse is expected to reopen as a community space, giving local residents and visitors a place to gather and experience one of Worksop's oldest surviving structures up close. Details of how the space will be managed and what activities it will host are expected to be announced later this year.

Worksop Wire will continue to follow the Gatehouse project and bring you updates as the restoration progresses.