An iconic building that was a key part of the industry that helped build one Merseyside town is now ‘at risk’, reports The Echo.
image: for illustration – By The World of Glass, St Helens, Entrance by Alexander P Kapp, CC BY-SA 2.0
… inclusion on the register will mean that we can move forward with conservation surveys…
The Echo writes:
….When looking at the history of St Helens, there are two driving forces behind the development of the town – coal mining and glass making. Glass giant Pilkington’s was founded in the town, and by employing workers, it funded the population growth of St Helens – as it rocketed from 7,570 in 1801, to around 84,000 in 1900.
To celebrate the town’s industrial history, the World of Glass museum was opened in 2000, offering a look into the history of the town’s love affair with glass. The tank house at the museum has been added to Historic England’s “at risk” register for 2022.
Executive director Peter Frost claims the tank house at the World of Glass is where continual glass-making was “perfected’’. He told the ECHO : “I was concerned when I took over as director over about the subsidence in the northwest corner. I worked with Historic England, who have been incredibly supportive, to get the Tank House and its issues addressed.
“The inclusion on the register will mean that we can move forward with conservation surveys so that we can identify exactly how we can preserve the Tank House. St Helens Council and Historic England have both been committed to helping us deliver the change needed that safeguards the building for future generations.”
Mr Frost also stressed the importance of support from the public. He added: “Cost of living pressures are really taking its toll on the charity, which, due the nature of the glass making, is energy reliant.
“We need to ask the public to come and visit The World of Glass and support the charities work, especially over the holiday season. We work tirelessly to deliver amazing programmes for children and adults but we need the support of the public.”…
