Local businesses invited to become founder supporters of Delapré Abbey’s landmark Stables restoration
Delapré Abbey Preservation Trust has today launched an exclusive opportunity for businesses and organisations to become permanent founder supporters of its landmark A Stable Future project by sponsoring a recognition panel within the restored Stables complex.
The Founder Panel Sponsorship scheme offers a limited number of organisations the chance to have their name permanently incorporated into the fabric of the restored 19th-century Stables through bespoke corten steel recognition panels that will remain in place within the refurbished pathways for a minimum of ten years.
The initiative marks the latest milestone in A Stable Future, the ambitious restoration project transforming the Stables into a vibrant community hub, providing therapeutic horticulture, vocational training, mental health support, education and spaces for community life. It is also an exciting addition to the fundraising schemes already in place for the project, including Stable Stories, where members of the community can add their own names to an embossed name plate within the Stables refurbished pathways.
With ten panels available, businesses can choose from whole, half or quarter panel sponsorship, securing long-term recognition at one of Northamptonshire's most visited heritage destinations.
Delapré Abbey welcomed more than 393,000 visits in 2025, with visitor numbers expected to approach 500,000 annually once the Stables project is complete. Founder supporters will benefit from sustained visibility over the lifetime of the installation, alongside recognition at the official opening of the Stables in Spring 2027, inclusion in launch communications, acknowledgement on Delapré Abbey's website and across its social media channels, and an invitation to an exclusive preview of the completed development.
Richard Clinton, Chief Executive of Delapré Abbey Preservation Trust, said: "As we approach completion, we wanted to create an opportunity for businesses that share our commitment to the county's future to become part of this story in a lasting and meaningful way. This is far more than traditional sponsorship. Founder supporters will become part of the building itself, recognised within a place that will serve the community for generations through wellbeing, education, skills, heritage and culture. We hope local organisations will see this as an opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to Northamptonshire and its heritage while creating a lasting legacy."
The Stables restoration is already delivering tangible benefits to the local community. The project generated £2.738 million in local spend during its first year of construction, while Delapré Abbey's wider charitable work continues to support thousands of people annually through wellbeing programmes, volunteering, education and community partnerships.
Support for A Stable Future has been made possible thanks to a range of funders and partners. Delapré Abbey Preservation Trust extends its sincere thanks to everyone who has supported the project, including The National Lottery Heritage Fund, whose investment has been instrumental in securing the future of the historic Stables. The Trust also recognises the generosity of its wider funding partners, donors and supporters, whose continued commitment is helping transform this nationally significant heritage asset into a thriving community space.
Businesses interested in becoming a Founder Panel Sponsor are encouraged to contact Delapré Abbey to discuss the available sponsorship opportunities or arrange a private site visit.
For more information, visit delapreabbey.org/founderpanelsponsorship.