Heritage

Canterbury is a city of heritage and S. T. Abbott is able to provide an unrivalled depth of experience in the construction and repair of heritage properties. On a regular basis we liaise with the Canterbury Archaeology Department, Canterbury City Conservation Department and on occasions English Heritage.

Perhaps the most challenging re-build was the King's School Shop in Palace Street, Canterbury. This was constructed in 1617 and is a three and a half storey, timber framed building built above a brick cellar and a substantial brick chimney stack centrally located in the building. Structural failings in the timber frame were reported and shoring put in place. Then high winds induced further structural failure in the already destabilised stack. The City Council started to take the stack down to attic level but suddenly the stack collapsed with several tons of brickwork falling vertically through the building filling the cellar with rubble. Just to round things off the building then had two separate fires which partly destroyed the fabric of the building.

S. T. Abbott assembled their most experienced team and assessed the complex situation before re-propping to ensure the building’s stability and beginning the re-build. Working closely with Canterbury’s Conservation Department the King's School Shop was re-built to match its former glory.