Redundancies at Sutton House could have ‘dramatic impact’, warns heritage group

Sutton House. Image: Wikimedia Commons

A local community group is campaigning against proposed redundancies at National Trust site Sutton House.

The Hackney Society, set up to conserve Hackney’s heritage and give voice to residents, wrote to the National Trust to encourage it to avoid redundancies at the historic building in Homerton.

The group said: “Alarm was expressed at the most recent meeting of the Hackney Society management committee at the current consultation around staff redundancies, which could have a dramatic impact upon staffing levels at Sutton House.”

Sutton House, built in 1535, is the oldest residential building in the borough and recently hosted the Hackney History Festival.

Although this event attracted many new visitors, the Hackney Society said it was “concerned that an opportunity to capitalise upon this renewed interest is being lost”.

Sutton House is currently open for five hours on Sundays, which a spokesperson for the Hackney Society said was due to already tight staffing issues, including not having anyone in an educational post.

The spokesperson added: “The Society is concerned at the impact that the current situation could have on the future of Sutton House, which is unique, as it is the oldest domestic building in Hackney and therefore an important architectural and historical monument in our inner-city borough.

“Sutton House’s potential as an educational resource for children and adults, has always been of great significance.”

After the recent success of the Hackney History Festival, a day-long event featuring talks and exhibitions about the borough’s past, the Society is already planning next year’s programme.

It said another showing in 2026 would “contribute to maintaining the relevance and vitality of Sutton House”.

“We hope that we can collaborate with the National Trust in ensuring that Sutton House remains an important resource and visitor centre which continues to engage with the local community,” the Society added.

A spokesperson at the National Trust said: “We don’t yet know what the impact specifically on Sutton House will be yet as the consultation is ongoing and these are only proposals at this stage.”