Works to restore the front of a historic building that used to be part of a large department store have been completed.

The Grade II*-listed Georgian mansion, known as Chatham House, has been transformed thanks to around £200,000 in government funding.

The building is on the corner of Hulkes Lane and Chatham High Street, and restoration included re-instating a copy of the original entrance and railings which were removed in 1930.

The house dates back to the 18th century and has been occupied by Featherstones Ltd since the early 1920s, becoming a furniture, carpet and hardware department store.

Featherstones is currently carrying out a process to secure a contractor to restore the building’s interior, with works anticipated to begin before the end of the year.

Leader of Medway Council, Cllr Alan Jarrett, said: "Medway is steeped in history and I am pleased that works to restore the front of this beautiful Grade II*-listed Georgian mansion have been completed.

"We are delighted to be working with Featherstones and Historic England’s High Street Heritage Action Zone Programme which is breathing new life and unlocking potential in the area.

"I am also pleased that the Heritage Open Days were a great success, with many residents visiting Chatham House to find out more about the building’s fascinating history."

In 2020, Medway Council was awarded £1.6 million in government funding to revitalise a section of the Star Hill to Sun Pier Conservation Area, which covers parts of the high streets in Chatham and Rochester.

This restoration is stage one of a long-term project to bring the building back into use and is also the first major capital project funded by the Historic England’s High Street Heritage Action Zone Programme, which runs until 2024.

This first phase was meant to be complete by the end of April but the renovators discovered the wall plates supporting the roof were rotten and the wall needed rebuilding.

Sheila Featherstone, director of Featherstones and great-granddaughter of the founder, said: "Chatham House looks wonderful. The completion of the external works is a major milestone, which has been achieved through focused teamwork.

"We appreciate the continued support of Historic England and Medway Council and the dedication of all the trades who have made this possible.

"It is difficult to appreciate the amount of work that has happened in only nine months and I am delighted that we can share this special building with the community.

"It was great to open in time for the Heritage Open Days, which welcomed more than 600 visitors over the four days, 100 years on from its first opening as part of Featherstones."

Alice Brockway, inspector of historic buildings and areas at Historic England, said: "Chatham House’s transformation has given the building a new lease of life and marks the beginning of a new chapter in its near 300-year history.

"This is the latest achievement of the High Street Heritage Action Zone which is continuing apace.

"We want to hear your views on the future of the area so please do respond to Medway Council’s current consultation survey, open until October 7."