From Drill Shed to Warehouse

Online, September 3, 2012 (Newswire.com) - A former gunnery drill shed in Shoeburyness, Essex has been saved from being consigned to the history books forever.

The massive building, approximately the size of seven 5-a-side football pitches was bought by watersport enthusiasts Ian Homan and Peter Thompson.

After the Second World War the Drill Shed really had no purpose as cannons were no longer used. In 1965 it was transformed into a metal workshop, when the gun bay doors were removed. In the 1990's it became a gym, until the Garrison was sold for redevelopment.

Even though the Drill Shed was a grade 2 listed building, between 2000 - 2010 it became derelict and on the listed building at risk register. Without the pair's restoration the building would have been condemned and lost forever within a few years.

The business partners wanted to expand their company WetsuitOutlet but were adamant that they wanted to stay within the local area so they could employ people from the nearby vicinity. This was paramount in their decision to buy the premises which they restored without architects and project managers.

Every part of the restoration involved local people, using original building practices. The keen environmentalists even asked a Major who had seen the drilling shed in its former glory for advice.

Said Ian Homan: "We wanted to develop the building whilst creating the lowest carbon footprint possible. None of this was cost effective and not unsurprisingly resulted in a considerable financial loss. However, we did it because of our values, with invaluable help from local people.

The result is not a sterile restored building which looks like new, but a building which stands proud with over 150 years history. It's rough & rugged character is reflected in its 110 year old graffiti carved into the walls, rings where the cannon were chained down & original metal girders made during the industrial revolution."