Historic Buildings

Re-inventing The Merchant’s House on Marlborough High Street.

The Merchant’s House is an outstanding 17th century town house developed on Tudor and medieval foundations. Following a 30-year renovation programme the house is now stable, furnished in the style of its period. Our 10 year plan is to further develop the educational and heritage opportunities which could take place within the historic house and museum. We want to better understand our audience, and make targeted communications to our supporters as well as promote the charity more effectively, expanding our reach towards a wider demographic. Since Covid-19, however, the Merchant’s House Trust has struggled financially, and its retail shop no longer generates enough profit to support the house and its collections. The retail gift shop was established some years before the historic house was fully open, without a clear strategy as to the future integration of the historic house/museum and gift shop, once the house was fully open.