About Us

The East Midlands navigations are managed from our office beside the River Trent in Newark.

The Kiln

Our offices are based in The Kiln, built in the 1850s by John Hall & Company, Malters of Grantham. Apart from the hipped Welsh blue slate roof, The Kiln consisted almost entirely of concrete, even down to the ceilings of the top floor. Due to the lack of knowledge at this time about the strength of the concrete, the engineers of the 1850s were very cautious and used far more than was necessary.

The exterior of the building disguised the equally impressive interior, with wooden staircases and wooden floors, supported by cast iron columns. Whilst in the 1850s this design was considered 'old fashioned' it was believed that wooden floors were necessary for the efficient drying of the barley.

A variety of goods have been stored in the building over the years, with one of the longest contracts being a local chocolate manufacturer, Peel & Bowler.

On 4 September 1992, The Kiln Warehouse was set on fire by two young arsonists. The blaze totally destroyed the roof, the top floor and much of the interior.
Work to rebuild The Kiln began in December 1996 and was completed in January 1999.