Date: 09/09/2009
A grants scheme to restore historic buildings in Glossopdale has come of age with the completion of its first project.
The restoration of the building occupied by Glossop Tyre and Battery, in High Street East, was made possible by a grant of more than £19,000 from a Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI) budget looked after by High Peak Borough Council and funded in part by Heritage Lottery Fund.
And on Tuesday 8 September council officials and funding partners were shown around the restored building by its owners and the contractors who had carried out the work.
The grant met three quarters of the cost of the work, the rest of which was paid for by owner Steve Davenport. His application for funding was considered by Glossop Vision Board, which was appointed by the council to award grants totalling £150,000 over a three-year period that started in 2007. Already, nearly £83,000 of the budget has been committed.
The Tyre and Battery scheme is one of six approved by the board so far, and there are several other projects in the pipeline. The restoration projects follow a £650,000 scheme that improved the town centre street scene over a two-year period.
The improvements to 25 High Street East were carried out to an exceptionally high standard by Glossop firm Crofter Construction, which has expertise in restoring historic buildings.
The work included relaying the original slate roof, removing ugly cement render and re-pointing with traditional lime mortar, repairing the front door and surviving sash windows, reinstating timber gutters and cast-iron drainpipe, repairing stonework and reinstating traditional chimney pots.
The building is Grade II listed and dates back to the early 19th Century when it was two cottages. It was the Pear Tree Inn between 1830 and 1926 before becoming the offices of Newton and Heap Motor Engineers and, more recently, Glossop Tyre and Battery.
Said John Haken, Executive Councillor for the Environment: "I'm delighted by the high quality of the restoration of this important listed building. Works such as these are vital to the preservation of our heritage for future generations".
Tony Kemp, Executive Councillor for Regeneration, added that restoration projects were crucial to the local economy as they made High Peak's towns attractive to residents, visitors and businesses alike.
For more information on the THI scheme, call Helen Bower on 0845 129 7777 ext. 3732 or send an e-mail to helen.bower@highpeak.gov.uk. Helen is responsible for managing and promoting the scheme, as well as talking to property owners who are likely to qualify for grants.