Scaffolding the Historic Castle Hotel in Tamworth

Client: Castle Hotel

Location: Tamworth

Summary
The Castle Hotel, a Grade II listed landmark in the heart of Tamworth, recently underwent vital structural repairs to its complex roof and historic chimney stacks. Anton Scaffolding was proud to be the chosen access partner, designing a bespoke scaffold solution that navigated the building's 18th-century architecture while ensuring total safety for the public on the busy surrounding streets.

Images from the project

The Castle Hotel is one of Tamworth’s most iconic landmarks, standing proudly on the corner of Holloway and Market Street. To ensure its survival for future generations, the building recently required essential, long-overdue repairs to its complex roof structure. Anton Scaffolding was commissioned to provide the specialist access required to facilitate these works.

A Building Steeped in History

Dating back to the early 18th century, the Castle Hotel (originally known as the Castle Inn) is a masterclass in architectural evolution. According to historical records, the building’s legacy is inextricably linked with the Townshend family of Tamworth Castle. In 1814, the 3rd Marquis Townshend sold the hotel as part of the castle estate to clear family debts.

One of its most famous proprietors, William Tempest—a three-time Mayor of Tamworth—transformed the site into a premier destination in the late 1800s. Beyond its grandeur, the hotel holds a somber place in local history; a tragic fire at the building in 1838 led to the formation of Tamworth’s very first fire brigade. Today, its architectural significance is marked by its brick construction with ashlar dressings, beautiful stained-glass windows featuring the Tamworth fleur-de-lys, and an impressive L-plan structure.

Project Complexity: The Roof & Chimneys

The roof of the Castle Hotel is a complex arrangement of tiles and historic brickwork. The structure is notable for its several large brick chimneys and a variety of architectural features, including an oriel window and a Tuscan porch with a decorative wrought-iron balcony.

Anton Scaffolding designed a bespoke access solution that allowed roofers and stone masons to work safely around these delicate features. The project required:

- Chimney Access: Specialist towers were erected to allow for the meticulous repointing and restoration of the multiple historic brick stacks.

- Precision Platforms: Given the building's height and the pitch of the roof, we provided stable, high-level platforms to allow tradespeople to reach the most inaccessible areas.

- Complex Elevations: The L-shaped layout and varying heights of the three-storey building required a precision-engineered scaffold to provide a continuous, level working environment for the duration of the repairs.

Safety in a High-Traffic Environment

Safety was the paramount concern throughout the duration of the project. Located on a prominent street corner near the Town Hall and the statue of Sir Robert Peel, the site experiences both vehicular and pedestrian traffic.

Anton Scaffolding implemented rigorous safety protocols, including:

- Pedestrian Protection: Integrated protection and debris netting were utilised to ensure the public could safely use the footpaths on Holloway and Market Street.

- Structural Sensitivity: Given the age and "fragile" nature of the historic fabric, the scaffold was designed to be secure and non-invasive, ensuring the 18th-century brickwork remained undamaged.

The Heritage Specialists

This project highlights Anton Scaffolding’s position as a leader in heritage scaffolding. Working on Grade-listed and historic buildings requires a level of care and expertise that goes beyond standard commercial scaffolding.

We specialise in providing access for traditional trades—including roofers, stone masons, and conservation specialists—who require stable, precise platforms to perform their craft. Our portfolio includes successful projects on:

- Historic hotels and coaching inns.

- Ancient churches and ecclesiastical ruins.

- Listed city-centre buildings and civic landmarks.

By combining modern safety standards with a deep respect for architectural history, Anton Scaffolding ensures that Tamworth’s heritage remains protected for another three centuries.