ST MARY’S ‘NO LONGER AT RISK’ ENGLISH HERITAGE PRAISE FOR STOCKPORT

The newly restored Grade II* listed gothic archway at St Mary’s in the Market Place has been removed from the 2013 English Heritage ‘Heritage at Risk’ Register published last week after restoration work was carried following English Heritage granting £41,000 towards the £51,000 cost of the work to the gateway and boundary walls.

         The restoration of the
         gothic archway at the
         church and sensitive
         improvements in
         Stockport’s
         historic town centre
         nearby, have been
         praised by English
         Heritage.

Rev. Roger Scoones, Rector of St. Mary’s Church, said:

“I am relieved that the archway is safe again and delighted that it has been comprehensively restored, giving it a new look and a prolonged life.  Along with the stonework repairs to the church tower, the conservation work is complete and has been universally admired.

“I would like to thank Stockport Council and English Heritage for completing this important work to a listed building standing at the centre of Stockport’s historic quarter.   The church will rapidly move forward in its stated aim, which is to serve the community more fully and effectively in the years ahead.”

Charles Smith, the new Principal Heritage at Risk Adviser for English Heritage in the North West, said:

“The restored gateway in Stockport is one of the success stories of the last year and demonstrates what can be achieved through close collaborative working. With the formation of our new Heritage at Risk Team, we will be working both creatively and proactively to deliver sustainable solutions for other historic sites throughout the region.”

Councillor Iain Roberts, Executive Member for Economic Development and Regeneration, added:

“The restored gateway will now form a perfect link between the church and the town. Further improvements to the church will enable wider community use for a greater number of activities which will also strengthen the links between St Mary’s and the town centre.

“The work has contributed to the on-going conservation-led regeneration of Stockport’s historic town centre. Stockport has a very strong track record of finding solutions to problem historic buildings including Staircase House, the Plaza Cinema, Mealhouse Brow, the Market Hall, and we can now add St Mary’s Church to this impressive list”. 

And work in the nearby Hillgate Conservation Area includes:

–  Townscape Heritage Initiative: Peaches/High Street development by Johnnie Johnson Housing Association (51 apartments delivered through a refurbishment/new build funded by the Council, Heritage Lottery Fund and Homes & Communities Agency).

–  Guinness Northern Counties Housing Association development in Lower Hillgate – new build consisting of 13 flats and offices.

–   Robinson’s Brewery have carried out repairs and improvements to their historic buildings including the opening of a new visitor centre.

Rev Scoones added that he would eventually like to see the archways filled with works of art to celebrate the history of Stockport and the links between Stockport Market and the Parish Church.

The Grade I listed church is currently on the ‘Heritage at Risk’ Register and further conservation work includes the restoration of the Rector’s and Choir Vestries.  

Marketing Stockport are hosting a Christmas Carol Service at
St Mary’s in the Market Place on December 19th at 6pm bringing together the Stockport Business Community. All are welcome.

For more details email: enquiries@marketingstockport.co.uk

The restored gothic archway at St Mary’s Church.