Listed tower to be unveiled after £137k restoration

The tower is set to be unveiled in time for Gloucester History Festival in September

A Grade II* listed monument which has been shrouded in scaffolding for £137,500 of restoration work is set to be unveiled.

Work on St Michael's Tower began in February after the Gloucester building, which dates back to the 15th century, was placed on Historic England's Heritage at Risk Register.

The restoration, which included repairs to the lead roof and stonework, is now set to be finished in time for the city's History Festival, which takes place from 7 September.

City councillor Sarah Sawyer said: “I’m delighted this important landmark has been given the skilled restoration that it desperately needed."

Managed by Gloucester Civic Trust (GCT), St Michael's Tower, which is at the crossroads of the city's four main streets, is the only surviving element of the former parish church of St Michael and All Angels, which was built between 1455 and 1472.

Since the church was demolished in 1955, the landmark tower has been used as offices, a bell museum and a tourist information centre.

The work, funded by Gloucester City Council and Historic England, also included the carving of large architectural stones, which have then been replaced by stonemasons.

"We’re extremely lucky to have such a wealth of beautiful and historically important buildings so it’s vital that we preserve these for current and future generations to enjoy," Ms Sawyer added.