Morecambe Winter Gardens Celebrates 125th Anniversary

Morecambe Winter Gardens, dubbed ‘The Albert Hall of the North’ because of its elegant Victorian grandeur, is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year. The celebrated building features an ornate fibrous plasterwork ceiling, which has recently been restored to its full glory. The venue is staffed and run entirely by volunteers.

The Lancaster Guardian reports that the redbrick seafront building first opened in July 1897, and was originally known as the Victorian Theatre and Pavilion Hall, as it was an addition to the pre-existing Winter Gardens, which were constructed in 1878. From the outset, it was designed to rival London institutions in style and quality.

The grand exterior was designed by Mangnall & Littlewood from Manchester. The interiors, including the opulent plasterwork ceiling which was created as part of the auditorium, were designed by Dean and Co, and also by Burmantoft of Leeds. The lavish décor was based on the design of the Albert Hall.

The venue was granted Grade II* listed status in 1991, surviving a threat of demolition at the end of the 1970s. To celebrate the milestone anniversary, the theatre is hosting a series of special events, including a children’s party, free tours, and film screenings. 

For the past three years, the Winter Gardens have been undergoing a comprehensive restoration and regeneration programme, with funding received from the Theatres Trust, Historic England, and the Architectural Heritage Fund. The ceiling has been fully repaired, cleaned, and restored.

The venue has hosted Sir Edward Elgar four times in the early 20th century, and The Entertainer, starring Laurence Olivier, was filmed there. Many other stars of the entertainment world, from Laurel and Hardy to the Rolling Stones, have also performed at the Winter Gardens. 

If you would like some more information about listed building restoration, please contact us today. 

What Can And Can’t You Do To A Grade II Listed Building?

Grade II listed buildings make up nearly 92% of all listed buildings, so if you have purchased a listed building, it is likely to fall into this category. They are subject to regulations because they are deemed to have special historical or architectural character. These laws guide and restrict what work can be done both internally and externally.

The age and character of the property is probably what tempted you to buy it in the first place, and many do make lovely and well-appointed places to live. However, they are mostly by their nature older structures, which might be in need of some renovation or adaptations to make them suitable for living comfortably and safely in. 

Before starting on any work however, it is essential to have written permission from your local authority. Not to do so is a criminal offence, and you will be required to return the building to its original state at your own expense. You may face further penalties, such as a fine or even a custodial sentence. 

What about essential repair work?

It’s still best to seek consent, even if the work seems unavoidable to preserve the integrity of the building. They may stipulate that the repairs meet certain conditions, such as the use of similar materials, or lath & plaster techniques. In cases where something needs replacing, such as a window, you may be asked to have it refurbished instead.

Distinctive features, such as period fireplaces, should never be removed without permission, even if you think they are not worth renovating. It is always best practice to seek permission from the local authority, no matter what your personal opinion on the matter might be. 

If all this sounds off-putting due to the expense involved, you could research the grants available to restore or repair listed buildings. In some cases, the local authority may offer a small grant towards the cost of essential works. Historic England will consider applications for eligible buildings, although not all may be successful due to the high volume of demand. 

If you are turned down for a grant, there are some alternative sources you could try, such as the National Lottery Heritage Fund. However, they rarely offer funds to private homes, but there are a handful of other niche organisations to be found.

What if you want to extend the building?

Permission to extend the building might sound impossible to obtain, but this is not always the case. The regulations are there to make sure that any changes are in keeping with the character of the building and the surrounding environment, rather than to preserve it in its exact original state.

To ensure the best chance of gaining permission for an extension, its best to have the plans drawn up by a professional architect who has some experience of working with listed buildings. Remember that any small changes to the original plan, or unforeseen changes that need to be made to the existing building, will need a fresh application of consent.

London Jacobean Manor House Undergoes Restoration

Boston Manor House in West London is a fine early example of the English Renaissance style. In was built in the Brentford area of London 1623, during the Jacobean era. It is a 3-storey building pleasantly situated in Boston Manor Park, which contains mature cedar trees and a lake.

The Grade I listed building restoration is taking place over the course of two years, and it is currently moving into the second phase.

The house contains a State Drawing Room with a fine plasterwork ceiling, and many other exceptional interior rooms, which were first designed for the use of Lady Mary Reade. The House is now owned and managed by Hounslow Council.

Phase one of the restoration process began on 15 July 2019, and it has now moved to phase 2. It is hoped that the work will be fully completed by autumn 2022, and the house will be reopened to the public, with free admittance. Repairs to the roof and the Jacobean porch have already taken place.

The project is supported by various sources of funding, including: The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Historic England, Greater London Authority (GLA) Good Growth Fund, the Wolfson Foundation, the Pilgrim Trust, the Heritage of London Trust and the John and Ruth Howard Trust, the Arts Fundraising website explains.

The house was altered during the 18th and 19th centuries, before falling into decline. The state drawing room still contains the original opulent plasterwork ceiling, which has undergone a conservation process to retore it to its former glory. The ornate ceiling has been finished with a white distemper paint, to recreate the original finish.

In the state bedroom, the ornate plaster ceiling was repainted in gaudy colours during the 1840s, spoiling the delicate beauty of the original. Therefore, it has now been restored to its former chalky matt colour and texture.

Plan To Restore Fire Damaged Room At Castle Howard

Plans have been lodged to restore a culturally significant room at Castle Howard that was damaged by a fire in 1940. The 145-room stately home near Malton, North Yorkshire, is one of the largest in Europe, and draws over 250,000 visitors a year. It is not actually a castle, but it is thought that a fortified structure originally stood on the grounds.

In 1940, a fire destroyed many rooms of the house, including the central hall, the dome, the dining room, and the cabinet room. Antonio Pellegrini's ceiling decoration, the Fall of Phaeton, was lost when the dome collapsed, and several other valuable artworks were destroyed in the blaze.

The cabinet room has been left derelict since the fire, but now an application has been made to restore the ornate plasterwork, giant tapestries, and period furniture.

The BBC reports that a document submitted with the planning application states: "The proposal to restore this derelict interior into a new version of the Tapestry Drawing Room marks a very significant moment in the long and gradual recovery of these interiors following the fire of 1940."

A Historic England spokesman said it was "a welcome step forward on the process of gradual reinstatement of lost interiors of this outstanding building. We consider that the alterations proposed will on the whole have a positive impact on the special architectural and historic interest of the Grade I listed building."

Construction began on the house in 1699, and it was continually added to over the next 100 years. It remains the home of the Carlisle branch of the Howard family today. it has been used as a filming location several times, for two separate adaptations of the Evelyn Waugh novel Brideshead Revisited, and for episodes of Bridgerton and Victoria.

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Shoe Shop Has Historically Significant Plasterwork Ceiling

An unassuming shoe shop in Gloucester city centre houses a nationally important carved plasterwork ceiling, which is currently undergoing conservation work. Gloucestershire Live reports that the plans are being carried out as part of a £1.9m project to restore some neglected historical buildings on Westgate Street.

14 Westgate Street is Meek’s Shoes & Accessories to the high street shoppers. However, to conservationists, it is also a Grade II* listed building, with an 18th century frontage, and a 16th century wing with an ornate carved plasterwork ceiling. The damaged plasterwork is being restored, and the traditional façade of the shop is being reinstated.

The area is part of the city’s Cathedral Quarter, and a Heritage Action Zone, funded by Gloucester City Council and Historic England, is underway to renovate and restore many of the original buildings in the area, some of which date back to the 12th century.

City council leader Richard Cook said: "It's just one part of many areas of work we are doing to regenerate the city centre. You can't tear it all down and rebuild it. I wrote a letter recently to Government saying that the worst thing they could be doing is demolishing everything.”

He added: “They need to be repurposing buildings as it is the best way of keeping cost and carbon emissions as low as possible. That's what's important about the work we are doing in Westgate Street. By renewing and repurposing what is already there and enabling it for housing you are killing every bird with that one stone.”

Westgate links the beautiful medieval cathedral with the main shopping area of the city. It was once home to many thriving shops and businesses, but now several properties have become vacant. It is hoped that the improvements will attract new owners who value and celebrate the unique historical flavour of the area.

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400-Year-Old Manor House Re-Opens After Restoration

A historic hall in Lancashire, which is renowned for its beautiful Jacobean plasterwork ceilings, has undergone a two-year restoration programme. The Lancashire Post reports that Astley Hall in Chorley has now reopened to visitors, after a £1.1m renovation scheme. A special weekend of celebrations was held in late May to mark the occasion.

The Grade I listed house was built over 400 years ago, and is celebrated for its stunning mid 17th century plaster ceilings, which are considered to be some of the finest in the country.

The exterior has undergone a transformation, with the removal of grey rendering to reveal the brickwork underneath. The exposed brickwork was then steam cleaned, and some of the oak window frames have been replaced with respoke replicas. The doors and the main staircase have been enhanced to cope with the visitor traffic.

Gary Hall, chief executive of Chorley Council told Lancs Live: “We are so excited to be able to reopen the doors of Astley Hall and for everyone to see the work that has been going on there over the last two years, which has included an enormous amount of restoration work to preserve the Hall and changes to enhance the visitor experience.”

“It will be a real weekend of celebration - not only showcasing the Hall both inside and out, but there’ll be entertainment and activities for everyone to enjoy.”

Mr Hall added: “The work to the hall over the last couple of years has been fascinating and a journey through history in itself. It was vital that we carried out the work to preserve this outstanding building which is part of Chorley’s history for future generations and to provide a visitor attraction for people in the region to enjoy.”

The four wings of the house still have most of the original features intact, including rare decorative panelling, and fine oak wood furniture.

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Grade II* Listed Cinema Opens After Restoration Project

The historic Electric Palace cinema in Harwich, Essex, has reopened after an extensive restoration programme. The Braintree and Witham Times reports that the two-year renovation project included the repair of the ornate plaster ceiling. It was first opened in 1911, and is one of the oldest purpose-built cinemas in the UK.

The beautifully designed building still retains many of its original features, including the decorative front entrance, ceilings, and screen. However, it was placed on the Heritage at Risk register by Historic England, after an initial refurbishment project revealed that there were dangerous levels of asbestos in the roof cavity.

Fortunately, Historic England stepped in with a grant to fund the removal work, and The National Lottery Heritage Fund stepped in with an extra £1.5m funding to support the further restoration. The structural defects and a water leak have been repaired, the interior has been redecorated, and the auditorium flooring and seating refurbished.

David Looser, Chair of the Harwich Electric Palace Trust said: “We are delighted to announce that the long running repair and restoration project is now complete, and that we are reopening.”

He added: “We would like to thank our funding partners for their support, particularly Historic England, The National Lottery Heritage Fund and everyone who has contributed to our crowdfunding campaign, without which this vital community asset and heritage site would have been facing an extremely uncertain future.”

The cinema still retains the original projection room and silent screen, and a gas-powered generator is situated in the basement. It was designed by the architect Harold Hooper when he was just 25 years old. The proprietor of the Electric Palace was Charles Thurston, a celebrated showman who pioneered the fairground cinemas of the early twentieth century.

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Wanstead Grotto Restoration Gets Royal Seal Of Approval

Of all the listed building restoration projects in London, few have been as long in the making as that of Wanstead Grotto, which has been undergoing urgent and vital work.

The Grade II listed structure, which gained its listing as long ago as 1954, stands in Wanstead Park in Redbridge. It was originally built in the 18th century as an entertainment venue by the park’s lake, but was largely destroyed by fire in 1884.

Since then it has stood as a ruin, albeit an impressive one with multiple arches. Before the fire it was decorated with shells, crystals and mirrors, plus a pebble floor.

However, as the Ilford Recorder reports, the building has been increasingly unstable in recent years, with Historic England placing it on its Heritage at Risk Register and a partnership of the Heritage of London Trust and the City of London Corporation teaming up to find urgent stabilising works. Planning permission for the work was granted by Redbridge Council last year.

This work was inspected by HRH Duke of Gloucester, who is the ranger of Epping Forest and patron of the Heritage of London Trust, as well as being a former architect.

Dr Nicola Stacy, the director of the trust, said it had been “wonderful” to show the duke the progress that has been made on the project so far.

She added: "It’s one of east London’s hidden gems and so important that it is restored for the public and the local community to enjoy again.”

The trust has completed numerous restoration projects across the capital and has many more ongoing works taking place.

Among these are the restoration of the public clock at the elaborately corniced Boston Arms pub in Tufnell Park, repairs to the brickwork and masonry of the front porch of the Bush Theatre in White City and the restoration of the Rose Window of Winchester Palace in Southwark.