The Mardale Roof Fund
The Mardale Inn roof is in need of urgent update (yes, you can see light coming through!). We originally included this as a Phase 2 project in our Share Prospectus of February 2022. Unfortunately we were not able then, or more recently despite multiple attempts, to cover the cost with a grant.​
In the meantime, the roof has continued to deteriorate.
Given the energy output by our new east facing solar panels, a compelling argument exists to combine a roof renewal with installation of an additional 23 west facing panels on the rear side of the pub.
​
In consultation with Lake District planning, these can be installed under Permitted Development Rights. Their inclusion will also reduce the requirement for expensive Westmorland Green Slate. The cost for solar panels, an additional battery and full roof renewal is anticipated up to £45,000.
​
The current state of the roof is now a material risk to the business, ie we may lose turnover from room nights as well as general service due to water leaks.
The Management Committee believes that we can no longer wait for grants that may never materialise, and must instead act now, targeting completion during Autumn 2025. We are attempting to source funds through a combination of donations and, if absolutely necessary, (commercial) loans.​
The Project
A project undertaken in Autumn 2025 by a local contractor to update the roof will:
​
-
make the Mardale Inn roof watertight for many decades to come
-
immediately reduce our daily energy costs with input from an additional 10kw solar array and battery rate arbitrage
-
eliminate the risk of water ingress suspending either our accommodation or main business
-
with additional battery backup, lower the likelihood of blackouts due to electricity outage
-
further reduce the carbon footprint of the pub
​
We need three key elements on this project: recycled Westmorland Green Slate, solar panels and an additional 13.5KwH battery.
Can you help by donating to purchase one or more of these elements at the following fitted costs?
£85 each
£455 each
£5000 each or
£1250 per quarter
Finally, in the Mardale we have a set of plaques celebrating donors who have generously provided us grants in the past such as Lake District Foundation, Westmorland & Furness Council and the Royal Countryside Fund, . We'd like to add a 'Mardale Roof Donors' plaque in the pub too on which we would record the names of those members who have been able to support this important project.
​
Please work through the donation form below (payment via Paypal/card online or via BACS). You may opt out of the donors plaque if you wish. Any issues with this process please email rooffund@bvcp.info.
Thank you for considering a donation to The Mardale Roof Fund.​ Our progress so far is.....
.....
NB this gauge only updates every 24 hours or so - sorry but it wont reflect a new donation in real-time!
If you can help further, please place a quantity against any of the following donation options (a total amount will display below):​
A recycled and fitted Westmorland Green Slate Tile - £85 each
A fitted Solar Panel - £455 each
A quarter of an installed 13.5 KwH battery - £1250 each
A complete installed 13.5 KwH battery - £5,000 each
Alternatively you may prefer a custom donation amount - £
£ Total Amount
Thank you! Your total donation amount is:
Please 'Donate via Paypal' for ease although for any larger sum it's cheaper for us if you 'Donate via BACS' - thank you!
or
BACS message