Colin Fearns, Morgan Ashurst Business Development Director, recently handed over a set of brass Victorian keys to Martin Lloyd, Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) Head of Property, to celebrate the completion of preservation work on three historical buildings in the Ancoats quarter of Manchester.

Morgan Ashurst, which has local offices in Salford Quays, carried out conservation work to three early Victorian buildings with the guidance of English Heritage.

"All three buildings are being revitalised as part of the regeneration of the Ancoats district," said Colin Fearns.

"The buildings were in a derelict condition and needed to be made structurally sound in order to protect them from further weather erosion and create a safe environment for future development of the buildings."

Colin added: "It is very exciting to see the future of historic buildings in this area being secured, as well as providing useful amenities for the area."

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New Little Mill, which is a six-storey Grade II listed building and formerly a textile mill, received preservation work which included a new temporary roof cover to help protect the existing roof which was in a poor condition. Being a very large structure of over 1,200,000 sq m, it also needed repairs to the external brickwork and original steel supporting columns throughout. Improved ventilation also now allows the building to breathe and minimise damp.

The structure of Jactin House on Hood Street, which was formerly a hostel providing accommodation for workers in the surrounding mills, also needed extensive structural underpinning and revitalisation.

The four-storey Victorian building was strengthened using steel beams and a new concrete slab over the basement. The brick walls and original terracotta window sills were repaired in line with English Heritage guidelines.

The two-storey red brick building located in 87 Great Ancoats Street, which was once a small Victorian shop, also received roof and brickwork repairs as well as steel bracing and improved ventilation.

The Ancoats district is of great historical interest, not only to Manchester but globally. It is Manchester’s original industrial quarter and has claims to be the world's first industrial suburb, spurring the industrial revolution in nineteenth century England.

The regeneration of Ancoats is a key priority for the NWDA and the preservation and handover of these buildings will enable the Agency to take forward their redevelopment as part of the Urban Village project. By the time the project is complete, the Agency will have invested £68 million in the transformation of the area.

(JM)