I have seen the shopfront joinery drawings (local contractors are being used where possible which is very commendable) and coupled with the building work this should produce a very impressive frontage.
I am sure you will be pleasantly surprised with the result as lots of old photos are being used for the manufacturing details.
As for the time its taking, I understand the building was in very poor repair and virtually everything from the chimneys, roof down to the cellars has had to be gutted and renewed. Amble sandstone is as brittle as Radcliffe brick is hard! and, unfortunately that part of Amble is sandstone based, say no more
Both English Heritage (with a modest grant package I understand) and the landlord (to whom it is costing a fortune) deserve praise for having faith in, and investing in Amble.
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