Buildings in Need of TLC

Verandas, Sun Rooms, Multifunctional & Sophisticated Home Improvement, Essex

The fate of some listed buildings is to sit unused while slowly falling into disrepair and becoming little more than an eyesore. Their upkeep can be pretty costly, and typical problems with these older properties may include damp, floods due to leaking pipes, pests, rotting wooden frames and features, subsidence and crumbling plasterwork. Any repairs are tricky and usually require sourcing the original materials or their expensive alternatives. This takes the shine off what could be a beautiful, historic and irreplaceable reminder of the past.

Sometimes a charity or perhaps a company will step in and offer to restore the building, turning it into a busy and functional place once again. This is the case with a disused cinema building in Grays, Essex, which is set to become a Wetherspoons. The successful pub chain purchased the Grade 11 listed structure in 2015, although concerns were recently expressed as there has been no action as yet.

The local Gazette reported that the pub chain has confirmed it’s intentions to restore the building and open on the site. The company originally promised an investment of £3 million in its restoration, and Gazette readers were wondering if this was still the case. There were also fears that Historic England could be at the bottom of the hold up, but a spokesperson said “We have been involved in detailed, constructive pre-application discussions with the current owner of the Grade II* listed old State Cinema in Grays.“We expect a planning application for the building’s conversion to be submitted in the near future. We are keen to see the building brought back into use and will continue to work closely with all parties involved to secure its future.”

There is a definite move these days towards restoration and renovation rather than demolition wherever possible. This is a responsible and sustainable approach, favoured by many, especially those who wish to preserve the UK’s heritage.

Alfresco Lifestyle, Styles Traditional or Contemporary, Heated & Lit, Quality Manufactured Verandas