The Pearson Arch was made by Young & Pool (1863) in cast iron and creates a dramatic entrance to Pearson Park in Hull. Over the last few months the whole arch has been removed piece by piece and restored by Lost Art, specialist heritage metalworkers. It has now been returned and reassembled on site, and a grand re-opening took place on 19th December 2019.
As well as restoration of all the existing fabric, a huge quantity of lost features have been reinstated, with the pattern makers following the original designs drafted by the Borough Surveyor. This includes the lost double gates (each weighing ¾ tonne), the side panels, pedestrian gates, urns, lanterns and the ‘Maritime Achievement’ (an ornate assemblage of sturgeon, tridents and capstans around a City of Hull shield, which sits right on the top). It’s also had a lick of paint, restoring it to what we believe is its original colour scheme.
The restoration of the arch is part of a wider project to restore Pearson Park, which is benefiting from a National Lottery Heritage Fund grant of £3M. Southern Green Ltd are lead consultant, contract administrator and landscape architect for the project, which is due for completion in spring 2020.
