I keep being asked what is happening to the Whitechapel Bell Foundry.

The answer appears to be nothing. It was put on the open market over a year ago either for rent or possibly to buy, but so far there is no evidence of anyone having acquired it, which would almost certainly require fresh planning permission which ought to be granted only on the same stringent conditions as the previous approval, including a requirement to reinstate a working foundry.

Meanwhile, the hotel scheme seems dead as the option to buy the land on which to construct it has lapsed.

So, a major historical asset – of exceptional significance – is being allowed to rot without anyone so far able to provide a workable solution or to intervene.

https://www.theguardian.com/news/audio/2024/jan/31/from-the-archive-the-bells-v-the-boutique-hotel-the-battle-to-save-britains-oldest-factory-podcast?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other