The £250,000 refurbishment of a landmark building in Burnham-On-Sea is set to begin next week, its new owner has told Burnham-On-Sea.com this week.
As we first reported in February, Burnham’s Watermark Financial Solutions took over the Manor House in the town’s Manor Gardens and the firm’s owner, Mark Woods, says he wants to restore the building to its former glory.
Work is to begin on the major refurbishment project on August 13th and is due to finish by the end of the year.
The news comes as graffiti has been daubed across several of the wooden window boards at the front of the building, as pictured above.
Owner Mark Woods told Burnham-On-Sea.com this week: “We are expecting to start work on 13th August. Martin Pople Design and Build from Burnham is the main contractor and the £250,000 project will provide work for many local subcontractors and tradespeople.”
“We are aiming for the project to be completed by the end of November with a final fit in December and a planned move from our High Street premises between Christmas and the New Year.”
“However, we are abundantly aware that these things rarely go to plan and there are likely to be some hiccups and possible delays along the way!”
He added: “We have already had a number of interested parties that are thinking of renting or buying our High Street premises. We will also have four separate refurbished serviced office suites at the Manor House that we are also seeking to let and we have had some interest in these too.”
“The directors at Watermark have placed their own money into the project and it is a huge risk for all of us, but we would like to take this opportunity to thank the many well-wishers for their support and we hope to make the Manor House and the Manor Gardens an environment that the town’s people will be proud of.”
The Manor House and gardens were sold to Burnham Urban District Council in April 1904, then in 1974 Sedgemoor District Council took over the building for offices. The house was sold in February 2000 to the Ashfield Trust, while the gardens remained in Sedgemoor’s hands. But when the Ashfield Trust moved out in 2010, the building was put up for sale and was on sale until the start of 2012.
Pictured: Top, the Manor House pictured this week and, above, owner Mark Woods outside the building earlier this year
