Protect the evidence
Conserve historic fabric, interiors, objects and archives with professional care.
About
Built by history.
Kept alive by people.
The Merchant’s House is cared for by a charity, a small staff team, dedicated volunteers, Friends, donors and partners.
The Trust
The organisation behind the house.
The Merchant’s House (Marlborough) Trust is a registered charity (no. 1010902) and is limited by a guarantee of £1.00 from each of its members. It is governed by its Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association.
The Trust is managed by a board of volunteer trustees and is run day-to-day by a Trust Manager, supported by a small number of paid staff and a dedicated team of around 100 volunteers. They work in the shop, garden and office, help with maintenance, run fundraising events, guide visitors, maintain the archives and library, and deliver educational activities for children.
The Trust is a thriving and busy organisation which makes a substantial contribution to the cultural, historic and touristic life of the town.
Why we exist
Conservation, public benefit and resilience.
The Trust protects the house, garden, collections and Marlborough Museum; supports research and learning; welcomes visitors; and builds the income and capability needed for the future.
Share it well
Open the site, interpret its stories and create meaningful ways to take part.
Build resilience
Steward people, income, risk and partnerships for the long term.
Our history
Loss, rebuilding and rediscovery.
From the Great Fire of 1653 to a modern conservation trust, the building has repeatedly adapted while retaining extraordinary traces of earlier lives.
The Great Fire
The earlier house is destroyed as fire sweeps along Marlborough High Street.
A merchant’s house rises
A prosperous silk merchant shapes the ambitious building visitors see today.
The Trust takes responsibility
A major conservation project begins to safeguard and understand the surviving fabric.
A living restoration
Research, fundraising and skilled work continue to reveal and protect the house.
The rebirth of a Merchant’s House
Saving and reuniting a nationally recognised building.
The Grade II* listed Merchant’s House spans 132 and 133 High Street. After the 1653 fire, Thomas Bayly—a prosperous silk mercer—rebuilt and extended the house in stages until about 1700. It was later subdivided and occupied by many different people.
- 1926
WH Smith purchased no. 132 and remained in the building until 1991.
- 1991
Marlborough Town Council bought no. 132. The Trust occupies it under the town’s historic peppercorn-rent arrangement.
- 1999
The Trust bought 133 High Street, reuniting the two halves of the historic building.
- 2002
The Trust acquired the rear Printworks, named after its former use by Lucy’s and now used as a private residence and Trust offices.
- 2007
The recreated 17th-century garden opened as a new part of the visitor experience.
- 2018
Marlborough Museum opened inside no. 133, extending the story from one household to the wider town.
Conservation and development have been supported by grants, charitable and private donations, shop profits and the generosity of Friends. Appropriate 17th-century furniture, pictures and objects have also helped return atmosphere and meaning to the restored rooms.
Our Trustees
Accountable stewardship.
Our board of trustees holds primary responsibility for managing the Trust’s affairs and achieving its charitable objectives.
Our volunteer trustees, who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, are:
- Keith EdwardsChair
- Mervyn HallVice Chair
- Guy DeatkerTreasurer
- Ted Hiscocks
- Lois Smith
- Cllr. Abigail BeaumontMarlborough Town Council
- Cllr. James SheppardMarlborough Town Council
- Joanne Patrick
- Martha Fogg
- Dr Rowan Whimster
Trustees are appointed for a three-year term, after which they may be reappointed by resolution at the company’s Annual General Meeting.
By agreement with Marlborough Town Council, the council may appoint two serving councillors as its representatives on the board. Potential new trustees are met before elections to ensure they support the Trust’s aims and can contribute towards achieving them.
Our Staff
The day-to-day team.
A small paid team coordinates the Trust’s work, fundraising, administration, shop and visitor-facing presentation.
- Trust ManagerKevin Dickens
- Fundraising & Events Co-ordinatorStephanie Szakalo
- Trust AdministratorJane Newton Duffy
- Shop ManagerJessica Taylor
- Assistant Shop ManagerAlison Radnedge
- Shop Window and DisplaysAnna Giles
Our Volunteers
Crucial to everything we do.
Our volunteers are crucial to the effectiveness of The Merchant’s House. They bring a wide range of experience and expertise to the project, add energy and dynamism to a variety of tasks and help keep costs to a minimum.
For more information about our volunteers and volunteering at The Merchant’s House, please see our Volunteering page.
Explore volunteeringTrading company
The Merchant’s House Trading (Marlborough) Limited
A wholly owned subsidiary company, The Merchant’s House Trading (Marlborough) Limited, operates our Gift Shop and donates its annual profits to the Trust.
The trading company is managed by a separate Board of Directors.
Work with us
Opportunities to make a difference.
Paid vacancies are published only when confirmed. Volunteer roles are available across visitor welcome, events, research and practical support.
