Bought for just £100, the Maltings success story continues....
Another treasure of the city is the Maltings. Idyllically located on the banks of the River Great Ouse, the Maltings was built in 1868 for the brewery of Ebenezer William Harlock and was acquired by East Cambridgeshire District Council in 1968 for just £100. Today it is a thriving entertainment complex, as well as being one of East Anglia's best used conference centres.
When the Maltings was originally built, locally grown barley was transported here where the brewing process began. The main hall was originally on three levels. The barley was first sifted to remove foreign objects and then conveyed to the top floor where it was steeped in water for several days. The barley was then spread out on the second and first floors and allowed to sprout. The grain was moved along the floor with shovels towards the drying kiln. After drying it was stored ready for brewing. Malting continued from September to May. Barley was processed in this way at the Maltings for nearly 100 years.
In 1967 the Maltings was badly damaged by fire and was offered to East Cambridgeshire District Council in 1968 for use as a Public hall for the princely sum of £100. The building was carefully renovated and extended and was opened in 1971 as a multi purpose venue designed for conferences, exhibitions and banqueting.
Today The Maltings restaurant/bar, function rooms, theatre and cinema make it ideal for a wide variety of uses including conferences, meetings, exhibitions, wedding receptions, dinner dances, theatre productions, live music, cinema screenings, craft fairs, antique fairs and Christmas parties to name but a few of the wide variety of events that are held here. To ensure that the amenities and events held at the Maltings are equally available to all, we offer disabled access throughout the building including the Harlock Bar and Elysian Hall. A stairlift provides disabled access to the first floor Kempen Room. In addition there are hearing loops in the Elysian Hall and Kempen Room.
The restaurant and bar open daily and has a comfortable and relaxing atmosphere for enjoying a quiet drink or a selection from the freshly prepared menu. The bar also has a sun terrace to enjoy the halcyon summer afternoons watching wildlife and the world pass by. In addition The Maltings also offers Conference, Exhibition and Banqueting facilities. Wedding receptions, private parties and dinner-dances can all be catered for. There is also a stage, which has been recently refurbished and can be hired for performances.
It has been said that 'The Maltings is very successful asset for East Cambridgeshire'. It has excelled as a tourist facility, entertainment complex and major regional conference centre. The Maltings look set to remain one of East Cambridgeshire's most successful attractions. An outstanding amenity for Ely and the local community that continues to be a popular and successful economic asset. From an empty burnt out building to a thriving, buzzing and busy conference banqueting and function centre. Long may the Maltings success story continue.
The Maltings
Ship Lane
Ely
CB7 4BB
01353 662633
