How heritage cash has saved landmark buildings

Heritage sites across the North West have been receiving much-needed upgrades over the last 12 months.

They have been using their share of a £15m funding pot from Historic England, aimed at rescuing historic buildings from dereliction or demolition.

Among the sites to get money were Salford Lads and Girls Club in Greater Manchester, and Morecambe's Winter Gardens.

Historic England said the work to bring new life to heritage "can help build a better future for people and places".

Winter Gardens was given £767,222 to fix the structure and staircases.

The theatre's preservation trust said that the 19th-century building had been "stabilised" by the repairs.

"That sounds quite extreme, but it was a major piece of structural engineering we needed to do," said Prof Vanessa Toulmin, chair of Morecambe Winter Gardens.

The theatre was opened in 1897, before closing its doors in 1977 and remaining shut for almost four decades.

Toulmin said the completed work meant the theatre could continue plans to expand its capacity to more than 1,200 people.

"We have around 50 volunteers who are all local, and locals make up for 50% of our visitors, which is amazing.

"It just gives people in Morecambe a lot of pride, but it also ensures the building is still a place for them."

Toulmin added she has taken "great pride" in the five year journey to restore the theatre, and said it had been "an emotional journey for me and all the volunteers and trustees".

The Grade I-listed Great Barn at Gawthorpe Hall, Burnley, Lancashire, received £337,975.

That cash went towards repairing the barn's existing roof and the interior oak frame, which helped the 15th century building to open in July for the first time since 2008.

At the time, the National Trust, which owns the hall, said it had been "a joy" to see the level of enthusiasm and pride locally for the barn to be reopened.

The Grade II listed Salford Lads and Girls Club, founded in 1903, was given more than £437,961 funding for essential repairs including roof-slate replacements, and to the brickwork.

In May, the restoration was unveiled.

Laura Slingsby, CEO of the club, said the result was about "far more than preserving a historic building".

"It is about protecting a place that has supported generations of young people and remains at the heart of our community today."

She added: "Thanks to the investment from Historic England, we have secured the future of this remarkable building while ensuring it continues to provide opportunities, support and a sense of belonging for young people for many years to come."

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