Teesside funeral directors carry out £100k renovation using local expertise

Family-run funeral directors Crake and Mallon, have made use of local businesses while undergoing the £100k renovation project.

The project, which began in September last year, has seen major works throughout the premises on Norton Road, Stockton-on-Tees.

Ian Forbes, a specialist joinery company based in Stockton Street in Middlesbrough, was appointed as the main contractor for the works to refurbish major areas of the premises that Crake and Mallon has occupied since 1991.

The contract involved project managing every aspect of the work from implementing designs and painting and wallpapering to building new display areas, creating and upholstering a range of seating, laying carpets and installing new lighting, a glass sculpture and a water feature.

Alison Crake,senior partner of Crake and Mallon, said : “For the past 43 years we have served this area and supported successive generations of families. This means that we are strong believers in recognising the area we are based in and using local skills and resources wherever we can.

“This was a big project for us and it was important to be working with a project manager with the skills and contacts that could pull every aspect together seamlessly.”

Ian Forbes, who has taken over the reins at the firm previously known as HF Forbes, said that it was a new challenge for the firm: “HF Forbes was established for over 40 years until the owners retired and our work has always been mainly in the hospitality sector,” he explained.

“Although the location was entirely different to what we are used to, the skills needed were the same so it was very easy to adapt and we were happy to change our schedule to work on a night and during weekends to get the work done.”

In addition, Alison Crake commissioned two glass sculptures (pictured above) for the lobby area by local artist Suzi Dear of Big Studio Glass Design Ltd. based in Hartlepool.

Alison explained: “The glass sculptures and artwork were chosen to particularly reflect the local area and have drawn many positive comments from families visiting the funeral home. There is such a wealth of creative talent in this area so it was very satisfying to be able to recognise and support that and to be able to showcase some beautiful works.”