Butterley ironworks Trust

Following the Butterley Company’s closure in 2009, several members of the Ripley & District Heritage Trust, all former Company employees, were very concerned about the future of the site although with the exception of keeping a watchful eye on it by monitoring and reporting its deterioration and increasing vandalism, very little could be done to give it a guaranteed future.  Following the site’s sale to Aquarius Estates in October 2015, it was decided to set up an independent trust to formulate some possible ideas for the use of the site’s remaining buildings, archaeological remains and the Butterley Tunnel. The Butterley Ironworks Trust (BIT) was formed comprising of the Ripley & District Heritage Trust, Ripley Town Council, Derbyshire County Council, Friends of Cromford Canal, Midland Railway Trust, and the Pentrich History Society with other co-opted independent advisors.