COULD the Mechanics Institute be one of the most endangered buildings in Britain?

The Victorian Society is asking residents in Wiltshire to nominate threatened Victorian buildings for their 2018 Top 10 Endangered Buildings List.

The institute is still empty and unused but the Mechanics Instiute Trust is working with the council to appoint consultants to undertake a detailed viability study and set of recommendations for regeneration.

The Victorian Society’s biggest annual campaign encourages people across the UK to nominate Victorian buildings in their area that they feel are under threat from neglect, insensitive redevelopment or even demolition.

A shortlist of the ten most endangered Victorian buildings in the country is then chosen by architecture and conservation experts, and the buildings in that list are given valuable publicity which could help save them.

Griff Rhys Jones, President of the Victorian Society, said: “Every day we walk past at-risk Victorian and Edwardian buildings and regret their unfortunate state, wishing there was something we could do to help: the Top 10 campaign is the perfect opportunity to do so.

"Nominated buildings which make the final list get valuable publicity which, as previous examples show every day, can be just the push they need towards salvation. So send in your nominations today!”

Nominations can be sent in to media@victoriansociety.org.uk or by post to The Victorian Society, 1 Priory Gardens, London W4 1TT.

Nominated buildings must have been built between 1837 and 1914, and nominations must contain the building’s name/location, year it was built, brief description of its history and/or architecture, why it should be in the top 10, and at least one good photo.

The deadline for nominations is Friday July 13. It is not a voting system – each nomination is afforded equal weight. The final Top 10 list will be announced on Wednesday September 12.