We The Curious unlikely to reopen before 2024
A fire in April last year and efforts to put it out caused extensive damage
Damage caused by a fire at Bristol science centre We The Curious last year is so extensive it may not reopen until January 2024.
That's what we have been told today (February 23) after being invited on a tour of the site.
The blaze in April 2022 broke out because of a freak incident when a bird dropped a stone on a solar panel on the building's roof, causing it to malfunction.
According to a report by the Building Research Establishment the chance of such an event occurring is less than 0.01 percent.
WATCH: Take a look behind the scenes of the We The Curious repairs
Donna Speed, chief executive of We The Curious said: “Everyone has been working all out to reopen We The Curious for the coming summer.
"Unfortunately, we now know that this isn't going to be possible with a repair project of this scope and complexity."
As part of the repair work the roof has been completely replaced, while the second floor has been completely gutted and stripped back because of the extensive water damage.
What's more, the building is having to be completely rewired with 25 kilometres worth of electrical cable, (capable of spreading from We The Curious to Bath city centre) and four air source heat pumps are being installed.
"It's disappointing," Donna said.
"But also a great reminder that We The Curious is more than just a wonderful venue; it's the people, the joy of connecting and exploring ideas together.
"So we're going to be carrying on delivering our Out and About activities, Stories from the Stars, and School Takeover days, and the team are working on more brilliant activities for the coming year with our partners across the city.
Joshua Carter is managing director of E G Carter and Co, the contractors carrying out the work.
“This is a challenging recovery programme on a complex and historic building with lots of untested moving variables that could impact the timings," he said.
"However, it’s an amazing project to be working on, and a real privilege to play a part in restoring such a beloved and important venue in the heart of the city.”
Whilst the recovery programme continues, We The Curious teams have been busy running Out & About events in the city, school takeover days, free stargazing events on Brandon Hill and a half-term festival on Millennium Square.
Since the fire, the team delivered more than 100 events and 12 school takeover days, reaching around 18,000 participants.
Events taking place in 2023 include the Out and About programme, which has developed from last summer to create a longer-term foundation programme that will work alongside the venue when it reopens, working with returning key community partners such as community centres, libraries and children’s centres.
School takeover days will also be continuing, and there will be more free Stories from the Stars events to look forward to.
The Easter holidays programme of events will be taking place in communities across Bristol and May half term will see the team back on Millennium Square for drop-in family activities.
'It's great to see the repair work progressing, and as soon as we know more about the updated timeframe, we'll be letting everyone know," Donna said.
"We can’t wait to be open again and welcoming everyone back through our doors!'
For the full list of events and activities We The Curious is putting on, click here.