The Making It Industrial Heritage Trust

The Trust was formed in 1996 by a group of local businessmen who joined together to raise funds to refurbish the Mansfield Brewery Victorian Brewhouse and establish an interactive discovery centre through the provision of a tourist attraction. The beneficiaries would be families and school children. Following a successful fundraising campaign, Phase 1 opened in 1998 as a brewing exhibition and tours around the Mansfield Brewery. Phase 1 was closed in 2000 following a successful grant application to the Lottery Fund and match funding from local businesses. Phase 2 opened in 2002, providing a fully interactive visitor centre based around the process of design and technology. During the latter couple of years, there was a decline in the number of visitors to the attractions, particularly school children.