Fundraising appeal to help repair iconic Rothwell building

A fundraising appeal has been launched to help pay for repairs to one of Rothwell s most iconic buildings.

The Market House, in Market Hill, is in urgent need of essential work to its roof because it is leaking.

But with the building being Grade I Listed, repair costs are expected to be substantial and the Rothwell Preservation Trust needs donations from members of the public.

Trust chairman Richard Ley, who lives just around the corner from the building, said: "It needs special work because it's a listed building but we've not got a firm estimate yet.

"We are a small charity and don't have large reserves so we need help to do it - we're extremely grateful for any donations."

The Market House, which has been the backdrop to Rowell Fair and the weekly market for centuries, is more than 400-years-old with work starting on it a decade before the Spanish Armada in the late 16th century.

It was designed by Sir Thomas Tresham, who gave the cross-shaped building to the town as a gift.

Tresham was a Roman Catholic when such beliefs were dangerous and he was jailed several times. His other famous Northamptonshire buildings are Rushton's Triangular Lodge and Lyveden New Bield, which was never finished.

And the Market House in Rothwell was not finished until 1895 when local architect J. A. Gotch stepped in and the building was finally roofed. It has since housed the town's library and council.

The Rothwell Preservation Trust has already carried out restoration projects on other town buildings, including the The Manor House in Squires Hill and Nunnery Cottages in Desborough Road.

And now they're appealing for help to make sure the Market House is appreciated by generations to come.

Mr Ley said: "It's something that anyone in Rothwell sees every time they come shopping or park their car to go to a restaurant or pub.

"It's there, it's part of our lives, it's part of our heritage and it needs to be for years to come."

Their appeal has been boosted by the help of Rothwell digital agency Psittacus Systems, whose offices are in The Manor House.

Psittacus Systems have been helping them gain publicity, developing their social media, building a website and setting up fundraisers.

The firm also created a video for the appeal showing drone footage of the building, which can be seen above.

To donate to the fundraising appeal, click here.