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The original workhouse in Bourne was situated in North Street near the junction of what is now Burghley Street which was then known as Workhouse Road. It was erected in 1654 with £100 donated by Sir Thomas Trollope. By the early 19th century, a more spacious building was required and this was built at the end of St Peter's Road and was eventually re-modelled and extended for use as St Peter's Hospital. The building was completed in 1836 at a cost of £5,350, and was designed by Bryan Browning, the architect of Bourne Town Hall who was also responsible for the workhouses at Spalding and Stamford. It had three floors and was intended to accommodate 300 inmates. The premises were converted for use as a mental hospital in 1930 with adjoining out-patient clinics and makeshift extensions were added in and around the building and on the front lawns, obliterating the substantial Victorian red brick façade. At this time, it was officlally known as the Bourne Public Assistance Institution but was also referred to as Wellhead House. This facility was slowly run down during the late 20th century and patients moved out under the government's policy of care in the community and although the buildings stood empty for several years, the entire complex was taken over in 1999 by Warners Midlands plc, the printing firm that owns the adjoining premises, for an expansion of their business interests and was demolished in 2001. The demolition of the 160-year-old St Peter's Hospital took place during the summer of 2001 and was completed within three months. By the end of September, the Victorian buildings and later additions had been completely cleared from the site which is now being used as a new company car park.
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