£25,000 will open window to future O
NE of Macclesfield’s most prominent buildings will undergo vital repairs following a £25,000 grant.
The Old Sunday School, on Roe Street, will have work done to its timber sash windows thanks to money from the Culture Recovery Fund, administered by Historic England.
It will help with plans to open the building in a post-pandemic world by providing better ventilation to mitigate Covid risks.
John Varney, chair of the Silk Heritage Trust, said: “This generous support from Historic England comes at a vital time for the Old Sunday School.
“It helps preserve this important part of Macclesfield’s heritage, enables its future as a creative hub and contributes to the longer-term recovery of the town.”
The Old Sunday School was built in 1814 as a school and community building, with money raised from voluntary contributions.
In 1980 the Friends of Macclesfield Silk Heritage formed to restore the building and since then it has housed heritage displays, education spaces, a cafe, workshop spaces and meeting rooms.
The auditorium is used as a cinema and concert hall and is seen as having large historical significance.
Duncan Wilson, Historic England’s chief executive said: “This funding is a lifeline which is kick-starting essential repairs and maintenance at many of our most precious historic sites, so they can begin to recover from the damaging effects of Covid-19.
“It is also providing employment for skilled craft workers who help keep historic places alive and the wheels of the heritage sector turning.
“Our shared heritage is an anchor for us all in these challenging times and this funding will help to ensure it remains part of our collective future.”