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A Kent town will be without its iconic clock tower this summer as it travels more than 185 miles to be repaired.
Swale council has said the coronation clock in Sheerness High Street will be “restored to its former glory” after a number of defects have mounted on the 119-year-old timepiece.
The iconic clock was fenced off earlier this year after an inspection found a number of problems internally and externally, including some fractures at the top of the tower.
Plans for the repairs are due to be discussed at the local authority’s planning committee on Thursday, July 22, and due to the fact the tower is a grade II listed building, any repair works needed listed building consent with Historic England before they can begin.
Specialist clock repairers Smith of Derby have been appointed by the council for the work, which will see the clock tower removed and taken 187 miles north to be fixed.
Once the clock tower is disassembled it will be transported to Derby where repairs to the dial, hands, and clock mechanism will take place. New iron sections will be cast to replace the damaged areas, and the existing paintwork would need to be removed before being fully restored and transported back to Sheerness for reinstallation.
The restoration includes reinstating lanterns, which will be specially made to replace those originally hanging from the clocktower.
Smith of Derby will also be able to establish the original colour scheme of the clock which can then be considered as part of its restoration.
The power supply for the clock lighting will also be disconnected and reinstated once the clock tower is reinstalled.
Cllr Monique Bonney, cabinet member for economy and property at the council, said: “Smith of Derby have a brilliant reputation for this kind of work, so I’m confident the clock tower will be in the best possible hands.
“This is an important part of our local history and we don’t want to cut corners and store up more problems for the future, so we’ve got someone in who we know will do it right.
“As soon as we get permission, we’ll get to work on having the clock tower carefully removed so the work can be carried out to bring it back to its former glory.
“We also want to make sure local people and visitors to the town can find out more about the clock and its history, so we plan to install hoardings that will tell the story of the clock tower and its importance to the area.
“We really want to use this as an opportunity to engage people with Sheerness’s heritage so they know what a special place it really is.”
