Restoration work at Warminster Maltings has now been completed, ensuring its preservation for years to come.
Two centuries ago, maltings like Warminster Maltings were common throughout both urban and rural landscapes, supplying malt to local breweries, innkeepers, and home brewers in an era when water was often unsafe to drink.
Today, Warminster Maltings stands as one of just three traditional maltings still operational in England.
Significant restoration workhas recently been finished, which the company hopes will secure its future. This transformation, carried out over 24 years without the aid of grants or external funding, not only aims to protect the business and its 20 local employees but also seeks to preserve the architectural integrity of the historic site.
Owner and custodian Robin Appel said, “The Maltings is a Grade II* listed building, and as the custodian we are bound to look after and protect it. In order to make malt in the 21st century, we have to comply with modern day standards of hygiene for both the products and the workforce. This has required the installation of modern engineering and processing equipment which all has to be installed in safe and sound working spaces.
“The restoration of kiln roofs 3 and 4, burnt down in 1924, has created two large useable spaces, which will now house our Maltings Museum. We have in the order of 20 or more large display items, plus dozens of other mementos, many of which have been gifted to us for future posterity. These will now be displayed for public consumption.”
