Bridgeton improvements 2022

The Bridgeton workshop has a great deal going for it, not least being part of the Vintage Vehicle Trust. The main problem was that it was 3 separate rooms, and to go from the main work area to the stores you had to go out and in two doors. This is shown in Fig 1.

It's been clear for a long time that it would be better if the walls weren't there, or at least if there were internal doors or gaps. After much deliberation we decided it would be best to take some of them away, leaving some of the wall for hanging stuff on. This is shown in Fig 2 below. We have used special computer equipment to replicate the "back of an envelope" stage that all projects start at.

Looking at the walls it was pretty clear that they were not structural, the floor above being supported by a steel frame we wouldn't need to touch. Steven and Neil have their own personal sledgehammers. This is shown in Fig 3.

However simply smashing the walls down is not what a sensible grown up organisation does. We engaged the services of a Structural Engineer and an Architect, and worked closely with the VVT. This all took time. We also improved the lighting and fitted a sink so people could wash their hands without going over to the toilet.
The gallery below has many pictures of the work and the revised, much better workshop.