Nottinghamshire-based Gillotts Funeral Directors has the keys to its “forever home” in Kimberley after buying a historic former Methodist church at auction.
For the last decade Gillotts has been based at the old United Methodist Free Church on Main Street in Kimberley where the long-running funeral firm has been renting out the ground floor.
Now Gillotts owns the whole building after successfully bidding on the impressive three storey property at auction.
The old church had been put up for sale following the passing of its previous owner who lived on the upper two floors.
Gillotts, which also has branches in Selston, Eastwood, Heanor and Stapleford, had previously been based in a smaller premises in Kimberley Main Street and moved into the church’s ground floor.
While renting the space the firm then spent £200,000 to create a funeral home complete with a reception, family room and two chapels of rest.
Gillotts partner Anthony Topley said he was now proud to own the building in which people have been saying goodbyes to loved ones in Kimberley for generations – in its roles both as church and funeral home.
With developers having shown an interest in the property, he said he was pleased Gillotts would be retaining the building, enhancing its period feel and continuing its long-term purpose in one of its key functions – that of bidding farewell to the departed.
Anthony said: “We are very proud to own the building outright. We are keeping the purpose of the building as what it was originally used for. It’s no longer a religious building but it’s still a place where people are saying goodbye to loved ones.
“Our office has been open there for 10 years and we are very pleased that we now have the keys to this church that has a long-established history in the town. The building has such a striking presence in Kimberley and always attracts comments, so we’re delighted to have secured our future here.
“We are hoping this is going to be our forever home in Kimberley.”
Built in 1890, for many years the imposing Victorian building was a church with capacity for hundreds of congregation members.
Since being occupied by Gillotts its chapels of rest continue to be tranquil spaces where families can spend time with loved ones who have recently died.
Many of the building’s original features still remain, one of which is a spectacular, large organ extending over the top two floors. There are no immediate plans for the use of the upstairs floors.
During the renovation of the ground floor 10 years ago, Gillotts took care to enhance the period aspects of the building by adding features such as Victorian-style tiles on the floor and chandeliers in the reception area to showcase the full-height ceiling.
This release was prepared by Penguin PR. For more information, contact Simon Burch on [email protected] or call 07735 397888
