The original Venetian mosiac floor in the Lushington Gallery, Beaney Institute, has been restored

by Gerry Warren

One of Canterbury's best-loved buildings is set to released from its shroud of scaffolding and sheeting.

The Grade II listed Beaney Institute has been the subject of two years of painstaking restoration work.

Now the imposing Victorian facade is set to be revealed in around three weeks' time – unveiling the skilled and meticulous work of the traditional craftsmen.

But the appearance may come as a surprise to some because the result is a rather patchwork look to the front of the building.

However, Den Daley, the heritage expert for contractors Wates, insists the right way is for the new work not to be disguised.

Magnificent new oak window frames will carry the original but restored leaded windows

He explained: "It was important that the replacement oak was not artifically aged and as a result it's much lighter than the remaining original wood. But it shows where the restoration has taken place and the wood will age naturally over the years."

Contractors only discovered the full extent of the work needed to the front of the building when the scaffolding went up and they were able to conduct an intensive survey.

Mr Daley said: "The oak looked sound, but movement had allowed joints to open up and the rainwater to get in behind. That in turn made it a breeding ground for death watch beetle which caused further extensive damage."

One particular casualty to the ravages of the insect, was one of the magnificent carved griffins.

It meant that a completely new one had to be hand-carved to match the existing one, although again in a much lighter oak.

Other victims of the elements over the decades include the mosiac work, which had distorted, and the leaded light windows.

Mr Daley said: "Where possible, we have re-used the original materials, but have also had to make up some new panels."

He added: "But I think it shows that traditional crafts and skills are very much needed and used in the modern construction industry."

The unforeseen repair and restoration work resulted in an extra grant of £500,000 being awarded to the project by the Heritage Lottery Fund, which originally donated £6.5 million for the scheme.

Inside The Beaney is still very much a building site as work progresses on the rear extension, which will double the size of the exhibition and library space.

But the work of restoring the Venetian mosiac flooring in the Lushington Gallery is finished and the walls painted a dramatic 'stallion red'. The original parquet flooring has also been restored.

The contractors are hoping to be finished by March, but then the painstaking and exhaustive work of bringing back the exhibits and displaying them will start.

The final cost of the complete project will be around £13 million and the Beaney is expected to re-open next summer.