BACK IN BUSINESS

From the Guardian Series, first published Thursday 6th Apr 2000.

SHOPKEEPERS are this week celebrating the end of a year-long programme of repairs which has dented their takings.

Scaffolding has shrouded Congleton Town Hall and its clock tower since March 1999, after a chunk of masonry fell into the street.

The borough council used the opportunity of the scaffolding to carry out repairs to the Grade Two listed building at a cost of £108,000.

That figure shot up to £273,000 last autumn after major problems were uncovered in the masonry and boiler chimney.

The repairs have hit passing trade at the information centre and adjacent shops, with people unwilling to negotiate the dark, narrow temporary walkway.

However an end is in sight, with all the scaffolding due to be taken down by today.

Information Centre manager Shirley Williams described its removal as 'absolutely wonderful news.'

"People who have been coming in said it was like a dungeon because it was so dark," she said.

"It's been absolutely horrendous, and the scaffolding has prevented people from looking in our window to see what we have to offer."

Paul Hughes from Hughes' Chemist said his counter business had been 'well down' over the past year because of the repairs.

"The whole area has been much quieter because of the drop in the passing trade," he said.

The work has also hit business at Davenports Mens and Boys Outfitters, with the scaffolding being right next to the shop.

Shop owner Errol Triner said: "I am so pleased it is being taken down, as we have been right up against the scaffolding."

"We have not had the window shoppers we would expect because of the work, there have been problems with dust, and the scaffolding has made our shop darker.

"It has not been good for us, although we have coped, and the work had to be done.

"It's a lovely town hall, and it is going to look beautiful now that the repairs have been finished."

The repair programme for the town hall was extended by four months last autumn after it was discovered mortar used in the stonework 20 to 30 years ago was unsuitable.

This led to extensive erosion of surrounding masonry and cracking in many areas.

In addition severe cracking was found in the boiler chimney, and the borough council said there was no alternative but to rebuild it because it was in a dangerous position.

The former town hall brasserie could reopen as a coffee bar in May, and its future was discussed this week by members of the town hall's management committee.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.

Archive Home