This substantial old stained glass dome by Liverpool based stained glass artist H. Gustave Hiller is situated above the grand central staircase within the original HQ building of Warrington soap manufacturers Joseph Crosfield & Sons Ltd. Completed and installed in 1906, the dome is dedicated to the science and industry of the soap manufacture still in production on the site to this day. These include Mining, Commerce, Mechanics, Chemistry, Shipping and Handcraft.

Crosfield’s was absorbed by Lever Brothers in 1919 and became a subsidiary of Unilever in 1929. Production today is carried out by PQ Silicas Corporation and it is they who contacted us with a view to undertaking the cleaning and repair of the dome. 

With works due to commence on site next week (Monday 15th January), Lightworks will be responsible for extensive cleaning of the glass to both the upper and under sides and re-introduction of numerous missing supporting bars along with replacement of any existing bars deemed unfit for purpose. With full scaffold access now in place we will also be assessing the scope and quantity of glass repair requirements where any damage has occured over the course of the last century.

Above the dome could originally be found a secondary protective glazed roof system which was not only leaking badly but had become so structurally unstable it was in very real danger of collapsing and bringing itself and the stained glass beneath it crashing down onto the staircase below. Thankfully and with timely intervention, this was removed and replaced in late 2017.

We are very much looking forward to getting started on this contract and to returning this beautiful old structure to its former glory.