Shepton Mallet Prison closure to tourists halted

The prison was due to close its doors as a tourist attraction on 2 January 2024 due to a disagreement over finances

The world's oldest purpose-built prison has been saved from closure as a tourist attraction due to a last minute agreement between the site operator and the landlord.

Shepton Mallet Prison in Somerset was set to close on 2 January 2024 after a dispute between the two parties.

Following discussions the closure will no longer happen.

Talks on the longer term future of the site will take place in the new year.

The prison has become a popular tourist attraction in recent years

Joel Campbell CEO site operators Cove Group said: "We are optimistic about our forthcoming discussions with City & Country and relieved on behalf of our hard-working staff who now know that their jobs are secure into the new year.

"We would like to thank the local community for their support in recent weeks and hope that this continues as we remain open for business."

Shepton Mallet Prison, was built 400 years ago and has held ghost tours and been an event space since 2017.

Often referred to as Cornhill or The Mallet, the prison housed its first inmates in 1625 and was still used as a civilian prison as recently as 2013.

It was turned into a tourist attraction in 2017 with Cove Group offering tours and events to the public for the first time.