£22k conservatory repairs
SEFTON Council’s Green Sefton team have secured a £22,000 grant from the government’s Culture Recovery Fund, which will allow them to repair Hesketh Park’s historic conservatory.
The work has begun, which will include repairing the overall cast iron structure, mending leaks to the roof, and replacing broken windows.
The Grade II listed structure, which has stood in the park since 1878, has deteriorated in recent years as a result of water damage.
The council has been looking at opportunities to fund short term repairs alongside long term plans to restore the entire conservatory.
Grants from the Culture Recovery Fund, administered on behalf of the government by Historic England, are designed to protect heritage sites and ensure that jobs and access to culture and heritage in local communities are protected, despite the pandemic.
Cllr Ian Moncur, Sefton Council’s cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “Hesketh Park is just one of our many beautiful outdoor spaces that the Green Sefton team, along with the valued help of dedicated volunteers, work hard all year round to maintain and improve.
“I’m really pleased to see that work has now begun on making essential repairs to the building, and that this signifies just the beginning of a journey to fully restore this historic conservatory.”
Longer term plans will be developed, as further funding is sourced, to restore the Southport building and bring it back into public use.