A property and interiors expert is celebrating his involvement in the multi-million pound restoration of Royton Town Hall.
Frank Holmes Fine Decor, based in Heysham, Lancashire, has been taking part in the heritage project, which began in 2022.
The main aspect of Mr Holmes' involvement has been the restoration of the Lincrusta, which was found above a suspended ceiling.
Lincrusta is a deeply embossed wallcovering, often found in Victorian properties and Mr Holmes is an approved installer and restorer of Lincrustas.
Speaking on his company's work on the Royton Town Hall project, Mr Holmes said: "This has been an exciting major project for us, restoring what is potentially the oldest surviving Lincrusta that we know of."
Royton Town Hall was opened as a dedicated municipal building in September 1880 by James Ashworth, the first chairman of Royton Local Board of Health.
The adjacent library is a Carnegie library, opened in 1907, and funded by philanthropist and businessman, Andrew Carnegie.
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Royton Historical Society and Oldham Council are working together to restore both buildings to their former glory while ensuring original features are protected and restored.
Frank Holmes Fine Decor is working alongside multiple agencies on the restoration, including Oldham Council, Kepczyk Pearce Sanderson Architects, and Handforth, Cheshire, along with input from Bolton and Royton Historical Society, overseen by Seddon Construction, Bolton.
Mr Holmes' wife, Amanda, who runs the business-side of the company and also undertakes archival research, said: “KPZ architects contacted us in February 2022 regarding damaged historical Lincrusta that was discovered above a suspended ceiling. Frank’s first inspection was in April 2022, with the suspended ceiling in-situ.
“Using the Lincrusta archives we identified two historical designs from around the 1880s. The top-most frieze is a ceiling paper cut down. Below that is a botanical wallpaper design.”
Mr Holmes said: “Sadly, many beautiful heritage designs like these are no longer in production as presses were melted down for the war effort.
“However, by using a specially developed Lincusta restoration kit, I made moulds of salvaged pieces then hand-made replica panels for making repairs and reinstating the missing sections of Lincrusta wallpaper.”
The ‘Lincrusta room’ restoration is due to be completed in July.
Royton Town Hall has seen a complete overhaul including the demolition of 1970s rear extensions, the repair of the clock tower’s copper roof and the clock face, the construction of a new gable end wall and new landscaping.
The interior has been fully refurbished to provide a modern and more accessible community space, along with a reconfigured library, meeting rooms and a new customer service area.
Mr Holmes started as a painter and decorator over 34 years ago and is now specializing in heritage decorating and fine finishes, where he incorporates traditional skills such as gilding and wood-graining into his work.
He said: “I still love the feeling I get from restoring something back to its former glory.
“I’m fascinated by details and the level of skills of the original designers.”
Mr Holmes' work has seen him featured on the Channel 4 series 'Renovation Nation'.
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