The Living Barracks

    We’re working as an active partner on a major project, aiming to transform Berwick Barracks into a thriving cultural hub and visitor destination over the next 5 years.

    The Berwick Barracks Partnership is made up of:

    • The King’s Own Scottish Borderers (KOSB)
    • Northumberland County Council
    • The Berwick Barracks Heritage Trust
    • The Maltings (Berwick) Trust
    • English Heritage

    By bringing all the empty buildings and spaces on the site back into use, we will boost the town’s economy and profile while ensuring the survival of this historic landmark.

    Providing a striking new home for the town’s archives and collections, contemporary visual art and the Kings Own Scottish Borderers Regimental Museum on a single landmark site is central to our vision – updating and improving the exhibition areas, storage facilities, physical access and related services so that we can significantly enhance their presentation and ensure the Barracks are open all year round.

    Northumberland County Council is working to relocate the Berwick Archives to the Barracks, which will sit alongside new research rooms for people using the archives and those of The King’s Own Scottish Borderers.

    There will also be studio / office spaces and new opportunities for local artists and makers and the wider creative industries.

    The Parade Ground and wider site will continue to play an important part in the life of the town, still being used for the Minden Day Parade and local festivals, but also being further animated through a wider public programme including music, theatre and cinema, site specific work, creative and educational activities, heritage events, new lighting and sound displays.

    To help secure the site’s future, the West Block and Clock Block will be returned to residential use.

    There will be a café / restaurant within the Officers Mess and a space for a shop in the Gatehouse.

    If we can realise this vision, it will be a major step forward in revitalising a much-loved local asset as well as repositioning Berwick as a town with a diverse and distinctive year-round cultural offer. This will benefit local residents whilst also broadening the town’s appeal for visitors – encouraging them to stay longer and support the town’s wider economy.

    You can download further details about the project here. The site plan is also available for download here.