EERIE SCENES INSIDE ABANDONED STEEL HQ
THIS is the inside of an historic building at a closed-down steelworks site, which could be given new lease of life under ambitious plans. The Shotton Steelworks John Summers building is falling into disrepair.
These images, taken by our photographer Ian Cooper, show the current state of the HQ building, which officially closed just over 10 years ago. It was placed on a list of the UK’s most endangered buildings.
The grade-II listed structure, which dates back to 1907 and was built by architect James France, stands on the site of the planned multi-millionpound Northern Gateway project.
Now the Enbarr Foundation, a notfor-profit organisation, is aiming to rejuvenate the property and the rest of the site by turning it into a community hub.
The foundation had been renting the steelworks site off Pochin Construction Company for a peppercorn rent, but is bidding to take it over after the company went into administration.
A decision on whether to hand it over is set for next Friday.
If successful, buildings across the former steelworks, which closed 40
years ago, could be transformed into facilities including an armed forces rehabilitation centre, heritage skill facility, a Stem/Steam centre (science, technology, engineering, arts and maths) a music venue and a place for local business to operate from.
Enbarr Foundation engagement manager Vicky Roskams said: “The community are fully behind this and we have had 70 companies offering us their product, time and staff to help us do this.”
As part of investigations into the HQ building a safe room that had been closed for years was finally opened – but unfortunately there was nothing in it.
Part of the building, the clock tower, is in desperate need of repair.
“We want to wrap the clock tower to protect it,” said Ms Roskams: “It’s so it won’t sustain any more water and weather damage.
“It needs to be renovated in the next 12 to 18 months or it will not make it.”