Originally built in 1913 as a school for handicrafts the building had had many uses including the most recent, a youth centre. The brief asked for the building to be extended and refurbished as a new funeral hub for the Cooperative Society. A 1960s flat roof extension was demolished and new extensions where constructed in a form that complemented the buildings heritage. Following the demolition remedial works to the original brickwork proved impossible and a new arched reconstituted stone cladding was designed to hide the damage. The arch was carefully colour matched by the manufacturer to the existing stonework above. All the stonework and was cleaned and a stone crest discovered during the demolition was renovated and repaired. Other repairs that were carried out included the cupola at top the building and, although no longer required for practical purposes, it was retained an important aesthetic to the overall composition. A new lift was introduced to provide coffin access to the first floor and the new mortuary.