For more than two decades it has been at the mercy of the elements, vandals, failed plans to turn it into a hotel, and municipal inertia.
Now, finally, the possible renaissance of a Georgian mansion has begun. The Grade II listed building in Buile Hill Park, Salford, has been closed ever since the Lancashire Mining Museum, which was housed there, was dismantled and moved.
It is estimated £5.5m is required to restore it fully. Now Salford council, the owners, have said an extra £270,000 has been found towards design work.
It comes after proposals to transform the mansion into a new community and wedding venue were unveiled late last year. The property will become a new base for Salford’s Registry Office, with the existing one moving from the Civic Centre in Swinton into the first and second floors of the building to provide a ‘unique venue’ for weddings, civil partnerships, and celebrations.
Read more on manchestereveningnews.co.uk