We are delighted that our friends in Derby – The W. W. Winter Collection Trust – has secured funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to plan a sustainable future for W. W. Winter’s photographic studio in Midland Road, Derby.

W. W. Winter Ltd is said to be the oldest extant photographic business in the UK, tracing its history back to its establishment in 1852. For 170 years they have been photographing the people of Derby, and recording the changing face of the city. The company is an institution in the local community, holding extensive archives of photographic material and associated artefacts which chart the company’s history alongside the history of Derby. Winter’s premises, built in 1867, include the oldest purpose-built photographic studio still in operation for its original purpose.

The W. W. Winter Collection Trust was formed in 2017 to help the people involved in the company to find a secure future for the building, and the collection that it houses, and to ensure that the building will continue to be used for its original purpose, as a centre for photography.

Jonathan Wallis, the chair of the Trust said “Winter’s is so important for Derby and all those people who have been photographed here over the years. We would love to be able to preserve it and its archive for future generations and keep the art of photography alive in this unique place. We are looking for someone to help us to find a sustainable future that involves the community and keeps the spirit of Winter’s alive.”

W. W. Winter Collection Trust is therefore seeking a consultant to explore options for the sustainable future for studio and historic collections held by W. W. Winter Ltd. The consultant appointed will be exploring a variety of business plan options for operating the studio in the future and for ensuring the preservation of the collection. They will also need to understand the Winter’s building and the costs for its restoration as well as ongoing maintenance needs of the building and the collection.

This project is funded with the support of The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

For any details, please contact W. W. Winter Ltd, [email protected] or 01332 345224.