A local group is fighting to keep an important part of Longbridge heritage at its current location.
After the closure of the MG Rover in 2005, Pride of Longbridge (POL) was formed to support ex-workers and preserve the heritage and community surrounding the south Birmingham car industry.
The group has long been concerned for the future of heritage on the MG site. These concerns have only grown since all manufacturing and assembly by MG – now owned by Chinese motor manufacturers – ceased at the Longbridge and demolition and redevelopment of the site continues.
With it’s original location on the Longbridge site being demolished in the late 1950’s, Austin Motor Company founder Lord Herbert Austin’s original office was dismantled and reassembled in the South Engineering Block. It remained there for 50 years until being relocated to the Conference Centre in 2003 as part of the site archive.
POL say that this important part of Longbridge heritage needs to stay at the heart of the community and have been in discussions to take on its management.
Pride of Longbridge founder Gemma Cartwright MBE said: “We want to secure our heritage for our community. We have successfully been working on a proposed plan to have a rotating museum – with many other community features – on site.
“Lord Austin’s Office deserves to stay where it was created and we envisage it would remain under MG UK ownership but be maintained and managed by POL. This community centred asset would be accessible for all to enjoy and share and would secure our vital local heritage.
Gemma said that MG UK are aware of POL’s proposals and the group hopes to be able to secure a plan to keep Lord Austin’s Office on at the heart of Longbridge.
A petition to keep Lord Austin’s Office at it’s current site has already gathered almost 1000 signatures. You can sign the petition at www.bvoices.uk/lordaustinoffice
Cover photo: www.austinmemories.com
Would be far better of at the Heritage Centre at Gaydon. They already do a fantastic job preserving Longbridge cars and can be 100% trusted to maintain Austins office and make it available to a far wider audience.