The Engine Room, The Maltings, Sleaford
In 1900 Sleaford was ideal for a malting complex of this scale because of its rural environment; barley fields, a seasonal workforce, plentiful water from the Artesian well and good rail links for transportation. The site was purchased by Bass Ratcliff & Greeton Ltd in 1901, construction took six years and by 1907 it could produce 60,000 quarters of malt per season. Production declined after the Second World War, ceasing in 1959.
In 1973 it was purchased by GW Padley Ltd for chicken rearing and vegetable processing. Grade II listed in 1974, the building was damaged in 1976 by severe fire. Present plans are to transform the complex into housing, leisure and retail facilities.
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