Shepton Mallet prison to stay a tourist attraction

Cove Group has been trying to buy the prison since 2014

Shepton Mallet Prison is set to remain open to the public after Cove Group bought it from the Ministry of Justice.

The deal will preserve the 400-year-old site, preventing its conversion into residential housing.

Cove Group's CEO, Joel Campbell, said the move highlighted the group's dedication to the site.

The prison, one of the oldest in the world, will now undergo extensive investment and be kept as an historical visitor attraction.

The prison is one of the oldest in the world

The prison had faced potential closure as recently as December 2023, but the new ownership says staff jobs will be secured.

With the deal finalised, Cove Group says it plans to invest significantly into the site.

Attractions manager, Charlie Lawson says the heating was permanently switched off in 2014 and says reheating the building is first on the list of investment.

"We need to be able to maintain it and keep it at the standard that it should be," he added.

The prison offers guided tours, escape rooms and ghost hunting experiences as well as information about the history of the site.

Mr Lawson said: "It's a really important feature for the whole of the UK and for the world that we exist."

The sale has avoided the potential loss of 18 jobs

"It's just such a unique landmark for Somerset, particularly for Shepton," he added.

"It's just such a magnificent building to walk around and learn about the architecture and the people that lived here.

"Who knows what the future's going to hold, but it's looking really bright."