******************PHOTO OPPORTUNITY*******************<br><br>What: Unveiling of The Better Hearth’s new nameplate. Owner Brian Owen Councillor Bridget Fox, the architect, representatives from English Heritage will the available for interview.<br>Where: 109 Holloway Road, London N7 8LT<br>When: Friday 21 October 2005 at 10am <br><br>Islington Council, backed by English Heritage, will this week (Friday 21 October 2005, 10am) unveil the latest showcase development in its drive to regenerate the Holloway Road.<br><br>The latest makeover, part of the Holloway Road Heritage Economic Regeneration Scheme (HERS) is to a 140-year-old shop (109 Holloway Road). Originally a draper’s shop opened in 1863, the shop is now known as ‘The Better Hearth’, where owner Brian Owen, of Canonbury, has been trading in hand-crafted fireplaces for 25 years.<br><br>The shop has been renovated by local architects and craftsmen with funding through the HERS scheme. Jointly funded by English Heritage and Islington Council, HERS involves the repair, conservation and enhancement of commercial and residential property, and the spaces between buildings, at the southern end of Holloway Road (where it is part of the St Mary Magdalene Conservation Area). Grants are available to residents and businesses for high-quality design and building work.<br><br>Businessman Brian Owen, who has specialised in marble fireplaces for the rich and famous for over 20 years, applied to the council for the HERS grant for the makeover of his shop, including roof, fascia and entrance. He says the renovation “marks a new beginning for the business my son and I have been developing for a quarter of a century.”<br><br>“We are confident now to be part of the whole A1 gateway to London plan, which will underline the virility and quality of our borough to visitors from around the world”, he said.<br><br>Cllr Bridget Fox, executive member for sustainability said: “Improving shop fronts on Holloway Road is an important part of the A1 Borough project, to which the HERS scheme is contributing. This renovation is a great advert for the scheme, which is already showing results in Caledonian Road, Whitecross Street and Chapel Market. This work is helping to reinvigorate local businesses and improve the environment so that residents and visitors feel better about the whole area, rather than see a decline.”<br><br>According to architect Gary Butler, of Archway, “This is a long-burn investment in small-scale changes to whole areas to maintain our heritage, bring back elegance, increase the use of flats above the shops and hold the balance between new and old.”<br><br>Local business interested in HERS scheme should call Mike McGill at Islington Council on 020 7527 2607 for more information.<br><br>Ends
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