Chiselworks today
Chiselworks' affordable facilities continue to be in demand during the current recession. We believe this is due to our competetive offer: our workshops are low cost (we are cutting out the middlemen), and our facilities outstanding. If you are a woodworker interested to join, why not contact us; we would love to hear from you.
We are a friendly community helping each other where we can, and our co-operative structure allows us to make most decisions jointly. We are well regarded by our neighbours, and have revently been awarded a grant from the Local Authority to make the building more accessible to wheelchair users.
What others say about us
"Chiselworks Co-operative has been an asset to our community for many years. They are committed to the restoration and re-use of a remarkable industrial building, saving it from decay and dereliction and bringing it back into community use." - The Local Guardian, July 2013
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"When I set up my first business designing and making bespoke furniture, I was greatful for the opportunities that a workshop at Chiselworks afforded me: reasonable rent, shared woodworking machinery, and, most of all, the friendly support and advice I received from other members, who had been in my situation.." - Martin Jones, Managing Director of Brighton Bespoke Interiors.
Chiselworks' History and Future
Our History
In 1983 a group of craftspeople, mainly woodworkers on the look-out for affordable workshops, by chance found this beautiful building. The former 19th century built warehouse was originally used for grainstorage. After the closure of the East London docks in the 1970s, it was abandoned and near derelict from dis-use. Prolonged negotiations with the Greater London Council, the Local Authority, English Heritage, and grant giving organisations facilitated its conversion to community workshops, reserved for woodworkers and allied trades. The original occupants formed themselves into a co-operative which remains the current legal structure of the organisation. Since these early beginnings Chiselworks has provided workshops and spaces for several dozen skilled craftswomen and men.
In the process they saved a historic building from decline and dereliction, as well as "development" into luxury offices and flats. You can find out more about our successes as well as struggles by visiting our archive of past events.
Our Future
There will always be demand for Chiselworks' services and that of its members'. We are planning to embark on further substantial refurbishment and improvement of the building, including the opening of a gallery and installation of wheelchair access. This will enable us to stage more public events. Grant applications to fund the works are well advanced. If you are a local business or organisation and are interested to sponsor us, please contact us; we would love to hear from you.
In the immediate future our carpark will receive a splash of greenery and flowers as we will install wooden planters (made inhouse) for all to enjoy.
In other words Chiselworks is here to stay and thrive!
Chiselworks Woodworker Co-operative is located at 110 Woodpecker Street, The Oldest London Borough, London SE16. We are registered with [the appropriate registrar] and limited by guarantee.
Images on this site, if not otherwise stated, are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 2.0 UK: England & Wales License.
