Historic hall's chimneys rebuilt after safety scare

Work is under way to rebuild chimneys at a historic hall in Leicestershire after they were found to be at risk of collapsing.

Leicestershire County Council has brought in specialist builders to carry out a £500,000 repair job at Beaumanor Hall, in Woodhouse near Loughborough.

The authority said the 178-year-old Grade II listed mansion would remain open to the public for events such as weddings and school residential trips while work continued.

Officials said inspections, in 2025, found nine chimneys to be at risk of collapse.

The stacks were taken down last year due to the potential risk to the public, but rebuilding work started last month and is likely to take a further eight weeks to complete, the authority said.

Kevin Crook, deputy leader of the Reform UK-run county council, said: "Unfortunately the chimneys were found to be in an unsafe condition last year.

"It's a very old building and this was an age-related issue and the chimney stacks started to lean over slightly, and there was a concern if they leant too far they could have fallen through.

"We secured things at the time and now we are making the permanent repairs.

"This is such an important building and if you have a place like this in your possession, you have to look after it.

"Generations before us have done that and now we have to play our part and take good care of it."

County council building services officer Ryan Gibson said: "We've been very lucky with the weather during the work. It has been on our side.

"It's been really interesting. We had to get a specialist crane up to the top of this building because the stones at the top of the chimneys are 400 kilos (882lb) each.

"We're lucky because this was originally built without any of the equipment and technology we have today.

"The architecture is quite stunning so it has been a challenge to get it right."

The work is being carried out as the authority draws up plans to try to reduce the cost to the taxpayer of operating the Victorian country house and its surrounding estate.

The mansion ran at a loss of £459,000 in 2024-25 and £627,000 in 2025-26, the authority said.

"Unfortunately, it has been losing a lot of money - in the region of half a million pounds a year last year and again forecast for next year," said Crook.

"We can't allow it to carry on like that and let the taxpayer foot that kind of bill.

"But the Reform administration are absolutely confident we can turn that around, maintain the current use of the building for generations to come and make it pay for itself."

There had been suggestions that the hall should be sold to save money but the council's leadership has indicated it would be prepared to invest in the property to turn around its fortunes.

"I haven't got a crystal ball," Crook said.

"But at the end of the day we are definitely committed to try to make it work.

"Every Leicestershire resident I have spoken to has fond memories of Beaumanor Hall, whether it's a wedding reception or school trip and we are committed to keeping it up for generations to come."

The council also asked members of the public for ideas to revive the financial fortunes of the hall, which was used as a base for collecting intelligence about German military codes during World War Two.

Suggestions included using the building for murder mystery nights, as well as using the grounds for outdoor cinema showings, music festivals and comedy events.

The council was urged to consider using the hall to run "Victorian balls", based on television shows such as Downton Abbey and Bridgerton.

The council is expected to produce a detailed plan for the hall later in 2026.

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