Work starts at Nicolson Street

Work has now started on the restoration of a Victorian shop on Nicolson Street, and already some interesting details have been revealed.

The property is a category C (s) listed building, purpose-built in 1899 as multi-floored shop premises. It has retained many of its original features, including cast iron columns and ornate plastered ceilings.

One of the first tasks has been to remove the ‘brattishing’, ornamental iron-work decorating the roof, for it to be re-painted and also to get access to the lead flashing hidden underneath.

The two stone sculptures of a lion and unicorn are also being conserved, by removing loose material and consolidating areas with lime mortar.

An investigation of the render on the North gable wall has also shown what could be a last surviving remnant of the Georgian tenement that was on this site before the shop was built.

A closer look behind the modern sign covering much of the shopfront has also revealed that the original Victorian structure is almost completely intact, and it is even possible to see evidence of its original glazing pattern.

The next stage is to start on some of the stonework repair, and work continues on-site until the autumn.