How the Victorian front of the former Post Office is being protected - Barnes Construction

The first stage of a major town centre redevelopment on the site of the former Bury St Edmunds Post Office, has seen work to protect its Victorian front.

The historic frontage at 17-18 Cornhill is being kept while the rest of the building behind, including parts which were added on at a later stage, is gradually being demolished.

The retention of the existing Post Office façade is a complicated design process. Which involves temporary steel beams being clamped to the front and rear of the façade. These are then fixed onto triangular trusses that get supported at ground floor level.

Once the new steel frame is erected, the temporary structure will be removed.

The redevelopment will deliver new ground floor commercial units with 12 flats above. By widening Market Thoroughfare by over 50 per cent and creating a new commercial frontage onto St Andrews Street South, the Council will also be delivering on some of the aims of the town centre masterplan, shaped by 8000 public comments.

Cllr John Griffiths, Leader of West Suffolk Council said: “The Victorian front is an important part of our town’s history and heritage. From day one, our plan, and our challenge has been about how we keep this wonderful piece of architecture and bring it back into use, while also achieving the dramatic and important changes needed to Market Thoroughfare and St Andrews Street South. The structural engineering that will protect the Cornhill front is both complex and fascinating – and crucial to its success.”