Newman Brothers Coffin Fittings Works
Newman Brothers Coffin Fittings Works in Fleet Street is to be refurbished and opened to the public. Production stopped in 1998, but the company made some of the world’s finest coffin furniture, including fittings for the coffins of Churchill, Chamberlain and Diana, Princess of Wales. Thanks to the unique atmosphere of the interiors, the building reached the finals of the BCC programme ‘Restoration’ featuring Griff Rhys Jones.
What has been happening
Over the last year Birmingham Conservation Trust has made great strides with the development of the project thanks to funding from Advantage West Midlands, Birmingham City Council and Heritage Lottery Fund. The contents have been photographed and catalogued prior to being taken off site for safe storage, the memories of former workers and their families have been filmed and there has been lots of consultation with potential visitors about what they would like to see when the Coffin Works opens its doors to the public. The architects have also come up with some really exciting and innovative ideas for the parts that will be rented out.
What is coming up
Over the coming months the architectural scheme will be revealed to the public when the plans go in for planning consent and work will start on decontaminating the buildings – so don’t be surprised to see men in white suits!
The long term future
A major fund raising campaign to secure the money for repairs is underway. If bids to Heritage Lottery Fund and other Trusts are successful, the building work should start on site towards the end of next summer and the Coffin Fittings Works will open its doors to the public in early 2011. For those who cannot wait until then there will be opportunities to see the works as they progress once all the contamination has been taken out of the buildings, so watch out for Heritage Open Days and on the trust’s website on www.birminghamconservationtrust.org
It is proposed to form a Trust, for more information please call Phil Davies (Jewellery Quarter Neighbourhood Forum) on 07796 138 930.
