National Trust to fix leaking bookshop and ice cream parlour roof at historic Richmond site

The roof of a bookshop and ice cream parlour at historic Ham House will be replaced to stop it from leaking. The building, in the courtyard of the impressive 17th-century Richmond mansion and gardens, has been suffering from damp and leaks as the roof is in poor condition.

Richmond Council has approved plans from the National Trust, which owns Ham House, to reroof the bookshop and ice cream parlour. The roof covering the upper section of the building was previously replaced in steel, while the lower section is still covered by asbestos cement which is in poor condition with patch repairs.

A report submitted with the application said the roof suffers from 'considerable condensation' and leaks. It added the changes will not affect bats or other birds.

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The works involve replacing the roof materials, including adding insulation on top, after inspecting the rafters. The new roof will be covered with plants to prevent condensation building up and reduce water run-off.

Ham House, originally built in 1610, is Grade I listed and set in landscaped gardens on the banks of the River Thames.

A National Trust spokesperson said: "We're carrying out conservation work on a historic building in the courtyard at Ham House, to prevent the roof from leaking and to improve the roof insulation, replacing the existing roof with a green alternative."

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