Work gets back on track at the Mount in Fleetwood

Martin Gardner posted on Jun 15 2020

Last month work was able to begin once again on the restoration project at the Mount, Fleetwood.

 

Work on site was initially put on hold in March after supplies became unavailable due to the Coronavirus pandemic. The project, overseen by Wyre Council, is being carried out by contractors Rosslee Construction who are now back on site, following strict government guidance and social distancing.

 

The restoration project is taking place thanks to a £2 million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Big Lottery Fund and a £1 million personal donation from Mrs Doreen Lofthouse.

 

Progress can now be seen on the pavilion building. Externally, work to the bell tower is closer to completion and you will soon be able to see the new copper dome. The weather vane has been refurbished and the clock is also being worked on with new hands on one face being fitted in the coming months. The upper dormer windows have been replaced and new louvres installed. Inside, electrical work is taking place, ready for the next stage of refurbishment to bring the building back to regular use.

The lodge building is taking shape, and the lower floor can now easily be seen from outside. The window frames are in place and glass is currently being installed. Inside, flags are starting to be laid in the lower rooms and floorboards on the first floor are going in. Once reopened, the lower floor will become a base for volunteers and there will be a room for an artist and a scientist in residence to run activities for local people to get involved in. Upstairs will eventually become a tearoom.

Landscaping of the Mary Hope garden continues and paths are ready for tarmac to be laid, along with new planting on the bank near where the old play area used to be.

The new playground is complete but remains closed until it is safe for this space to open.

 It is hoped that the main works to the site will be complete by October 2020.   

Councillor Simon Bridge, Portfolio Holder at Wyre Council for Street Scene, Parks and Open Spaces comments, “Together with Rosslee we are working hard to make sure staff are safe, following all the latest health and safety guidance. It’s great to see the restoration project start to come back to life and I look forward to seeing the gardens and buildings back in use later this year.”