Wordsley’s much loved and iconic Red House Cone is set to receive sensitive restoration over the next two years.

Whilst the cone structure itself has been shut since January 2020, awaiting essential repairs, the site, visitor centre, shop, studio units and café have remained open.

The Grade II* listed, Scheduled Ancient monument will undergo a significant facelift. Work will include internal and external repointing of the structure, removal of vegetation, removal of the internal gantry to create a more open accessible space within the cone and new drainage around the building.

The schedule of works will begin inside the progressing to the external work in spring next year. The council is working with the Accredited Historic Architect and Historic England to secure the appropriate permission to begin the works.

This work coincides with the refurbishment of the Hot Glass Studio, previously based inside the cone, which has been shut since the pandemic. The new studio will be self-contained at the rear of the cone. New state of the art sustainable hot glass equipment is being installed along with a new public viewing area. The refurbishment of the studio will allow local artisans to demonstrate the art of glass blowing to the public.

The studio will be available for professional hire and the public will be able to book have-a-go sessions. The new studio will open to the public in early Autumn 2022. Helen Martin, director of regeneration, said:

"We’re really excited to be able to start work on this restoration project. While we’ve continued to welcome visitors through our doors for months now, it will be great to be able to show them the cone in all its glory when the work is complete.

"We can’t wait to reinstate the hot glass studio too as it’s always been so popular with our visitors. That should be up and running by the autumn, so visitors can call in and watch a demonstration while the wider work is ongoing."

The site will remain open during the restoration works and site management hopes to give the public a chance to come on site and see master craftsmen at work during the restoration.