Works started to restore 19th century chapel

Works have started to repair and restore a 19^th century chapel in the grounds of the cemetery in Grimsby.

The Grade II listed chapel buildings were designed by EW Farebrother for Grimsby Corporation Cemetery Committee and were constructed by J Thompson Builders of Grimsby. The buildings were completed in 1888.

The Chapels are designed in a gothic revival style, primarily constructed of red brick in an English bond with stone dressings and a Westmoreland green slate roof.

The repair and restoration works started on Wednesday 1 July 2020 and are expected to last about 5-months.

The works will repair the existing brick and stone masonry, guttering, downpipes, and glazing, as well as making improvements to the existing underground drainage.

A one-way system is in place for vehicles entering the cemetery, with the central carriageway being closed to pedestrians. No funerals are currently being held in the chapels due to COVID-19.

Councillor Stewart Swinburn, portfolio holder for environment and transport, said: “I’m really pleased that these works are progressing.

“These works will see another of our historic local assets removed from the Heritage ‘At Risk’ Register.

“We’ve notified all of the local funeral directors in the area about the works so that they could plan ahead, but we anticipate any disruption caused by the works to be minimal.

“This is part of a wider project to transform our cemetery and crematorium services. The project has already seen the restoration of the cemetery gates, and will eventually incorporate a pet crematorium and café to the site.”

Due to the specialist nature of the works, they are being carried out by Burnley-based company UK Restoration Services.