In an announcement published in the Diário da República, the DGPC states that it will propose to the Assistant Secretary of State and Cultural Heritage the classification of the former Algarve cork factory as a monument of public interest (MIP), including the gardens and integrated movable heritage, namely that of the museum.

The procedure for classifying Fábrica do Inglês as a monument of public interest began almost three years ago, in April 2019, after in October 2018 the failure to comply with a legal deadline led to the expiry of the procedure that intended to classify the property.

In the classification procedure document, which will be under public consultation for 30 working days, elements that justify the classification of the former Avern, Son & Barris Cork Factory, built in 1893-94 and which remained in operation until 1991, are enumerated.

In the document, it can be read that the building stands out for its particular industrial architectural structure.

Bankruptcy

The factory complex was acquired by Fábrica do Inglês, a company of the Alicoop Group, at the end of the 20th century, rehabilitated and transformed into a tourist entertainment complex, with spaces for restaurants and shows, which were abandoned after the bankruptcy of the group in 2010.

The Municipality of Silves requested the classification of the property, which was classified as a monument of municipal interest (MIM) in October 2010.

On May 30, 2014, the museum's assets and the building were put up for public auction, in which the City Council of Silves participated, without having managed to acquire the assets, which were eventually acquired by the Nogueira Group for 36 thousand euros.

The decommissioned buildings of Fábrica do Inglês were acquired by Caixa Geral de Depósitos for 2.2 million euros.

The relevant elements of the process can be consulted on the websites of the Directorate-General for Cultural Heritage, the Regional Directorate of Culture of the Algarve and the Câmara de Silves.

The original administrative process is also available for consultation, by appointment, at the Regional Directorate of Culture of the Algarve, in Faro.

The observations of interested parties must be submitted to the Regional Directorate of Culture of the Algarve, which will respond within 15 working days.