Conservation & Heritage Issue 49 October 2025 - Flipbook - Page 64
The ceiling, cornice, and walls were redecorated with oil
eggshell paints, chosen for durability, vapour permeability,
and visual compatibility with historic finishes. Application
was by airless sprayer, followed by brush-picking of
details. Finishes were enriched using oil scumble glazes,
adding tonal depth and authenticity. Almost every plaster
ornament was gilded, reinstated with 23.5 ct gold leaf over
oil size, reintroducing the brilliance of the late-Victorian
decorative scheme. Finally, the polychromed panels and
friezes were fully reinstated, restoring the chamber’s
original decorative grandeur.
Conclusion and Public Impact
The interventions addressed structural weaknesses,
reinstated lost decorative fabric, and ensured the ongoing
preservation of one of Lancashire’s most significant
civic interiors. Through the integration of engineering
solutions, traditional craftsmanship, and careful decorative
conservation, the project safeguarded both the integrity
and authenticity of this late-Victorian landmark.
Beyond technical achievements, the works carry an
important public dimension. The Council Chamber is not
only a functioning civic space but also a tangible symbol of
Burnley’s late-Victorian prosperity and proud civic identity.
The uncovering and reinstatement of the polychromed
barrel ceiling panels and gilded friezes, concealed for
decades beneath later alterations, reconnects the building
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with its original decorative richness. This reawakening of
the interior enhances civic pride, strengthens community
attachment to the building, and broadens appreciation of
Burnley’s heritage.
By combining structural stabilisation with decorative
conservation, the project demonstrates how sensitive
interventions can safeguard historic fabric while restoring
the atmosphere and splendour of a ceremonial space. It
serves as a model for the conservation of richly decorated
yet structurally vulnerable civic interiors across the country,
highlighting how such projects can both protect and
reanimate heritage for future generations.
Dedications
The success of this project would not have been possible
without the shared vision, commitment, and funding
provided by Burnley Borough Council, whose support has
ensured that the Council Chamber can once again stand as
a proud symbol of the town’s civic identity.
This project is also dedicated to the memory of my Dad,
Charles Booty (d. 13th April 2023). His passing during the
course of the works lends the restoration of Burnley’s
Council Chamber a special poignancy, and the renewed
splendour of this historic space stands in quiet tribute to
his memory.
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