Chance Heritage Trust

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Chance Heritage Trust Chance Heritage Trust want to regenerate Chance Glassworks, established in 1824. We want to create a vibrant environment for business and the local community.

A place where people can work live and play CHANCE HERITAGE TRUST

About us: our aims and objectives, key personnel, Privacy Statement and Policy

Chance Heritage Trust was formed in March 2015 with the aim of restoring the buildings that are still extant on the Spon Lane site and enriching their status in being of great historical and cultural significance. The Objects of the Trust are to promote and procure for the public benefit:

•the conservation, protection and enhancement of the buildings and other assets of cultural and heritage value within a defined area;
•the advancement of education concerning the social, economic and architectural history and heritage of the buildings and the area;
•the physical and economic regeneration of the buildings and the area together with the associated development of new skills and employment opportunities. The Trust intends to fulfil its regeneration objects by:
•Letting space within the buildings, when restored, on favourable terms to businesses in order to create business training and re-training opportunities for budding entrepreneurs and particularly unemployed people in the locale;
•Providing and maintaining recreational facilities and public amenities in the restored buildings at low or nominal rents or hire fees, including serviced space where community groups may meet and carry on a variety of activities;
•Provision within the restored buildings for education, training and re-training opportunities and work experience, especially for the area’s unemployed;
•Providing and maintaining – and, where necessary, improving – recreational facilities in and around the restored buildings for the wider public to enjoy;
•Preserving the buildings, which are of historic and architectural importance. Who are CHT? A small collective of enthusiasts from diverse backgrounds who share the common interest of working alongside the current site owners and in forging partnerships with external agencies to redevelop the site as a multi-function facility. CHT is altruistic and apolitical, with the sole function of rejuvenating this magnificent asset in the heart of the West Midlands conurbation for the benefit of all. CHaT Magazine

The official ad hoc email bulletin of CHT. Available free of charge and without obligation from [email protected]

30/10/2026

One thing you might not know about Chance… 👀💙

Chance Brothers Glassworks in Smethwick became internationally renowned for its lighthouse lenses, helping illuminate more than 2,500 lighthouses around the world.

From Smethwick to coastlines across the globe, it’s a remarkable local heritage story with international impact. 🌍

Follow Chance Heritage Trust to discover more stories from Chance’s fascinating history.

Thanks to the support of National Lottery players.

LocalHistory Heritage

Interested in supporting the future of Chance? đź’™Chance Heritage Trust is preparing a Community Share Offer connected wit...
28/10/2026

Interested in supporting the future of Chance? đź’™
Chance Heritage Trust is preparing a Community Share Offer connected with the future of the Old School.
You can register your interest now to stay informed and receive updates as the journey develops.

đź’™ Want to find out more?
Register your interest through the link in our bio.

Thanks to the support of National Lottery players.

What would YOU like to see at the Old School? đź’™The vision is for the Old School to be a place where heritage, learning, ...
26/10/2026

What would YOU like to see at the Old School? đź’™

The vision is for the Old School to be a place where heritage, learning, creativity and community can come together.

From exhibitions and workshops to community activities and events, we’d love to hear what matters most to local people.

👇 Tell us in the comments — what would you like to see happening at the Old School?

Protecting the past. Building the future.

Thanks to the support of National Lottery players.

23/10/2026

Did you know Chance’s commitment to education dates back to the 1800s? 💙

In 1845, William Chance founded a Ragged School in Birmingham, helping provide free education to those who might otherwise have missed out.

Chance Brothers also supported education closer to home, including a school at its Spon Lane works.

Nearly two centuries later, education and community support remain an important part of the Chance story. ✨

Protecting the past. Building the future.

With thanks to National Lottery players for their support. 🎟️

Heritage

19/10/2026

3 simple ways to support the

future of Chance đź’™
Follow the journey.
Share the story.
Register your interest in the Community Share Offer.
Every small action helps us reach more people and build support for the next chapter of Chance.
Thanks to the support of National Lottery players.

đź’™ Register your interest through the link in our bio.

Why does the Old School matter to Smethwick? 💙The Old School is more than a historic building — it’s part of the local s...
12/10/2026

Why does the Old School matter to Smethwick? đź’™

The Old School is more than a historic building — it’s part of the local story.
It connects to the heritage of Chance and Smethwick, while also offering the opportunity to serve a new purpose as a place for learning, creativity, heritage and community activity.

Most importantly, it can be a space where local people can take part, share ideas and feel connected to the project.
Protecting the past. Building the future.

đź’™ Follow the journey of the Old School and discover how you can get involved.

Thanks to the support of National Lottery players.

Register your interest through the link in our bio.

Membership or Community Benefit Share — what’s the difference? 💙With many traditional memberships, you may need to renew...
07/10/2026

Membership or Community Benefit Share — what’s the difference? 💙

With many traditional memberships, you may need to renew each year to remain a member.

With a Community Benefit Share in Chance Heritage Trust, buying a share means you become a member of the Trust for as long as you keep your share — with no yearly membership renewal.

It’s one way to become part of Chance’s next chapter and support the future of the Old School.

đź’™ Interested in finding out more?
Register your interest through the link in our bio.

05/10/2026

This is more than an old building. đź’™

The Old School is part of the Chance story — and the vision is for it to become a permanent home for Chance Heritage Trust and a place for heritage, learning, creativity and community.

A historic building with a new purpose.
đź’™ Follow the next chapter of Chance.

What is a Community Share Offer? đź’™Community shares give people the opportunity to invest in an organisation they care ab...
30/09/2026

What is a Community Share Offer? đź’™

Community shares give people the opportunity to invest in an organisation they care about and become members of it.

For Chance Heritage Trust, this is about giving people who care about Chance, its history and its future the opportunity to be part of the journey.

The vision for the Old School includes creating a place that can support heritage, learning, creative activities, community events and exhibitions.

Over the coming weeks, we’ll be sharing more about the Share Offer, the plans for the Old School and how people can get involved.

đź’™ Interested in following the journey? Register your interest now.
đź”— Link in bio
or scan the QR code in the post.

The next chapter of Chance is coming. 💙Chance Heritage Trust is preparing for an upcoming Community Share Offer — an opp...
28/09/2026

The next chapter of Chance is coming. đź’™
Chance Heritage Trust is preparing for an upcoming Community Share Offer — an opportunity for people who care about Chance and its heritage to become part of its future.
Our vision for the Old School is to create a place that can support heritage, learning, creative activities, community events and exhibitions — while providing a permanent home for Chance Heritage Trust.
Over the coming weeks, we’ll be sharing more about the plans, the Share Offer and how you can get involved.

👉 Interested in following the journey? Register your interest using the QR code.

Address

The Old School, Sandwell Business Park, Crystal Drive
Smethwick
B661RD

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