In the last week of June 2026, during one of the first heatwaves of the year, the initial stage of the work to secure the cellar of our home in Finsbury Park, north London, was completed.
A substantial amount of soil and building debris was excavated from the cellar floor to create a level and compacted surface, providing a secure base for the installation of steel supports. Dozens of sacks containing the excavated soil were safely removed and collected by lorry.
Access points were cut into strategic locations in the ground floor to reach the underfloor area. Structural steel supports were then installed to secure the ground floor of the building which includes the entrance corridor of the GPI. These supports will be monitored every three months for potential movement as the ground expands and contracts with changes in the weather.
During the excavation process, the cellar was noted to be excessively damp and with no obvious sign of where water was entering the area, an investigation was undertaken. This led to the discovery that a drainage pipe from a second-floor roof was leaking into the cellar and so this was another repair that was completed.
After several weeks of intensive work, the cellar is now dry, secure and ready for the next stage of the renovation, including the restoration of the brickwork.
Thank you to everyone who donated to the fundraising campaign for this first stage of building work. We are always extremely grateful for the support the George Padmore Institute receives.
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