Former WW1 fighter plane factory to open as community space in Walthamstow

Gnome House in Blackhorse Lane, Walthamstow was built on the site of the WW1 Gnome Rotary Engines factory which made the lightweight aircraft engines which gave British Sopwith Camel pilots superiority in the skies above the western front.

It was then operated by UK lift manufacturer Hammond & Champness until the 1990s and had been rapidly declining before becoming derelict five years ago. 

Now, Gnome House has been transformed following a nine month £1 million makeover to become a community art facility opening this weekend.

Gnome House during it's £1 million refurbishment.

It will have a café, a print making facility run by Inky Cuttlefish studios and a 1,800 square feet community space to host art exhibitions, dance rehearsals, craft and drama workshops and meetings.

Local resident Mark Burton, one of the four volunteer directors of the Gnome House Community Interest Company who will manage the building, said: “We’ve been tremendously lucky to conserve an important and iconic part of the borough’s manufacturing heritage for long term community use.

“The launch is exciting – but it’s just the beginning. Gnome House will serve our diverse population with a huge variety of high quality, accessible activities – and of course, provide volunteering opportunities and work experience for local young people.

“We very much see it as the heart of the Blackhorse Lane community and welcome ideas from local people as to what they would like to do here.”

The grand launch on Saturday (May 2) will feature a bouncy castle, face painting, food and drink and music with a ribbon cutting at 6pm.

A pupil performs spoken word at a school competition last month (Photo credit: Mark Burton)

Sopwith Camel engine's were manufactured at Gnome House, Blackhorse Lane.