Refurbishment work of Falkirk’s iconic Steeple is set to go ahead. Starting later this month £748k refurbishment work will be carried out by award-winning Glasgow based specialist conservation company Land Engineering over a 39 week period.
Situated in the High Street of the town, the current landmark stands approximately 140 feet high and has dominated the town’s skyline for over 200 years.
The specialist restoration work will include repairs to stonework, renovation work to clock faces, mechanisms and bells, refurbishment and replacement of timber sash and case windows, louvers, screens and doors, repair and decoration of timber components panels and weather vane. In addition the two original cells located in the building will also benefit from restorative work.
Pete Reid, Falkirk Council’s Growth and Investment Manager said: “The Falkirk Steeple is a real local treasure and this project symbolises what we want to achieve in the regeneration of Falkirk – the preservation of the town’s remarkable history, placing heritage at the centre of everyday living whilst providing a major economic boost for the town.”
£443k funding for the project will be received from the Heritage lottery Fund’s THI. A spokesman from the Heritage Lottery Fund in Scotland said: ““We launched our THI grant programme nearly 15 years ago as we found that for regeneration to really work, it has to have roots. Roots make a place unique, connect people with their history and give a place its identity. The Steeple is part of Falkirk’s roots and a prominent historic landmark in the town. Thanks to the THI programme, it will now have a new lease of life. This is an exciting step forward in the area’s on-going transformation.”
A spokesman from Historic Environment Scotland said: “A total of £1.6 million in grant funding has been awarded towards the Falkirk Townscape Heritage Initiative through our Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme, with over £290,000 of this funding going towards the total cost of works for the Steeple repair and conservation project. These important restoration works will allow for the safeguarding of one of the town’s oldest and most iconic landmarks and is an important milestone within the wider regeneration programme for Falkirk, and its heritage.”
Surrounding commercial premises and shops will be trading as usual during the critical restoration works and whilst disturbance is inevitable, every possible measure will be taken to lessen the impact of the project to everyday movement around the site and access to the shops.
The Steeple box office has now re-located to The Falkirk Stadium ahead of the restoration works. Tickets may be purchased by telephone on 01324 506850 or on-line at www.falkirkcommunitytrust.org.
