Work almost complete on a project to renovate the roof of Grantham Guildhall.
An extensive programme of repairs to the roof and timber structure of the Victorian clock tower has included redecoration of the tower itself and the front windows.
Work has been going on since October, when water leaked in during adverse weather, temporarily affecting some events at the Guildhall Arts Centre Ball Room.
More extensive maintenance requirements were discovered which extended the programme of work.
The final stage involves renovating the bell turret at the front of the building, starting this Sunday – July 20th.
Cabinet member for Property, Cllr Richard Cleaver, said: “Thanks must go to our contractor Hardy Construction for the work carried out on the roof repairs, and for the internal work on the ceiling of our historic Ball Room.
"As part of this, the clock faces have been thoroughly renovated and are now illuminated at night.
“Sadly, during this work, significant issues were found with the condition of the bell turret, which has been carefully assessed by our consultant who has been in working with the Conservation Officer, because this is a Grade II Listed Building.
“It requires extensive repairs that can only be safely done by removing the complete structure from the site by crane, repairing it in a workshop and then lifting it back into place to be fixed in position.
"Our experts have spent time and effort in meticulously ensuring we do a thorough renovation job on this important building to return it to tip-top condition - and in doing so to ensure it will not need further structural maintenance for many years to come.
“We are hoping the bell tower, an important part of the overall street scene in Grantham, will be back in place next springtime.”
The bell turret will be removed in July, with the scaffolding taken down in August after the redecoration of the windows is complete. It is supported by four columns which will be removed to leave the existing lead base, with any gaps covered over with lead during the restoration work.