Historic England hails Fleetwood church in new listings for 2023

The nautical features of the Church of St Nicholas in Fleetwood emphasises the town's maritime heritage

A striking Lancashire church designed in the form of an upturned boat is one of the highlights of the historic gems granted listed status this year, Historic England has said.

Grade II listed Church of St Nicholas in Fleetwood, was built in 1960-1962 and designed by Lawrence King.

Its nautical features emphasises the town's maritime heritage.

Also among the unusual new listings are a primary school and a railway footpath bridge in Greater Manchester.

The historic places are among 227 added to the national heritage list over the past year with 39 from the North West.

The church is a rare example in the north of England of the work of King, one of the leading ecclesiastical architects of the post-war period, Historic England said.

The chancel and nave features an upturned keel of a seafaring vessel for inspiration

Its bold sculptural design is dominated by sheer tower walls and tall copper clad roofs with unusual triangular dormer windows representing sails, it added.

Its upturned boat design was created to emphasise Fleetwood's strong maritime connections, and its dedication to St Nicholas, the patron saint of sailors, cements this association, they said.

The interior features trusses rising from the ground like the ribs of a ship and even incorporates red and green port and starboard lights either side of the crossing.

The Cavendish Community Primary School was built in 1904

The Cavendish Community Primary School's "show stopping" halls feature art nouveau flower-pattern tiling

Cavendish Community Primary School in Manchester has also been granted Grade II listed status.

The junior school was built in a Jacobean revival style by Ernest Woodhouse.

'Showstoppers'

Historic England said the forward-thinking education committee included a detached block for teaching cookery and manual crafts, which was shared by other schools.

It added the school was also designed so it could easily be extended, as it eventually was.

The survival of original features is good throughout, it said, including fireplaces, one real slate blackboard and a service lift as well as original parquet flooring and wall tiling.

The halls on each floor were the "showstoppers", with their attractive green and yellow art nouveau flower-pattern tiling and remarkable fireplaces at each end, complete with their original grates, Historic England said.

The Deep Pit railway footbridge dates back to 1887

The wrought-iron Deep Pit railway footbridge in Hindley, Wigan, was also awarded Grade II listing this year.

It was built in 1887 during the peak period of railway bridge construction and spanned nine tracks.

It has survived with very little alteration and its architectural interest lies in its elegant design, Historic England said.

The former Liverpool Furnishing Company Showroom was built in 1899

The former Liverpool Furnishing Company Showroom, which dates back to 1899, is also highlighted as one of the unusual gems added to the national heritage list with Grade II status.

Historic England said the exterior of the flamboyant Edwardian Baroque furniture showroom, which was built for a firm operating next door run by Jacob Lipson, includes decorated terracotta, embellished windows and a landmark clock tower.

The ghost of its external painted lettering 'The Liverpool Furnishing Co' still exists, more than 100 years after the company ceased trading and the building was converted into a bank and offices.

The ghost of the showroom's external painted lettering 'The Liverpool Furnishing Co' still exists, Historic England says

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