Project overview

Repair and restoration of a Grade II listed building in Norfolk.

Project Overview
The Grade II listed Swaffham Assembly Rooms, built in 1776, required exterior restoration work, including urgent roof repairs. Cliveden Conservation was appointed to carry out the work and manage the £200,000 repair and restoration project alongside North and Hawkin. The Swaffham High Street Heritage Action Zone and The Iceni Partnership-funded project was run in partnership with Historic England and Breckland Council.

Summary of work carried out
The Swaffham Assembly Rooms project included repairs to the front façade of the building, repainting the exterior in a new breathable paint and roof repairs. Additional repair work was carried out to the Regency Room roof and the window surrounds.

Conservators removed the modern, non-breathable paint layer to the external render using a combination of ThermaTech masonry and stone cleaning system and poultices. Repairs were carried out to the defective render and brick parapet with the application of new lime render.

The old leaking lead gullies were removed and replaced with an appropriate material to meet current building regulations. To withstand a wet climate, the pitched roof was stripped and repaired, with upgrades to the gutters and hoppers.

Repairs were made to the cement window surrounds on the main façade and high-level stonework was cleaned and repointed. The repaired exterior render was then repainted in a mineral paint system.

Swaffham Assembly Rooms remained open for events throughout the project. Work needed to be carried out safely, with the utmost respect to the occupants of the building and the public, due to its location in a busy thoroughfare.

Results
The Georgian gem, which has been at the heart of Swaffham life since it was first built, has been beautifully restored using traditional materials and methods. The work carried out by Cliveden Conservation was completed within the given timeframe and has safeguarded the future of this important building, which is a vital part of community life. The completion of the Assembly Rooms restoration was celebrated in an event attended by the MP for South West Norfolk.