Hexham Workhouse 2016
Below: After years of pressure from local residents, in particular Hexham Community-Led Housing, Northumberland County Council finally relented (in 2016) and issued a Section 215 Notice against owners, Helen McArdle Group, forcing them to clean up the appalling mess that had been abandoned there after they had refurbished their nearby Acomb Court rest home.
Images from ’28 Days Later’ – early 2017
Below: In early 2017 the workhouse site was ‘explored by an urban exploration photography group called 28 Days Later, recording much of what could be seen inside the buildings where medical apparatus, patient records, furniture and NHS financial information had been abandoned. It’s understood that much of this detritus was the result of Helen McArdle Homes refurbishment of their nearby Acomb Court care home.
May 2017
Below: Some clearing up of the site has been done, although the signs of rampant neglect are still evident.
Aerial Photographs – September 2017
Vandalism and Theft
Below: The Infirmary building at the east end of the site was broken into and a large stone lintel was stolen resulting in the collapse of surrounding masonry. The owners, Helen McArdle Group were issued with an enforcement notice to rebuild the damaged elevation.
At various times windows and doors were left open, (possibly deliberately) attracting the wrong sort of attention.
The Infirmary building was later demolished as part of the McCarthy & Stone development.
January 2018 – A steady decline
Hexham Workhouse May 2025
Below: These photos were taken as it was revealed that the then current owners, the 79th Group had gone into administration, (and were being investigated for fraud by the Metropolitan Police), leading to a renewed interest in acquiring the site for the community and developing affordable homes.