A HISTORIC landmark saved from ruin by a Radcliffe business has been shortlisted for a prestigious prize.

Last year, conservatory roof company Phil Coppell Limited (PCL) masterminded the restoration of the Lapwing Lane Arcade in West Didsbury.

The iconic Edwardian canopy, built in 1913 above a parade of shops and cafes, was the last of its kind in Manchester but had fallen into disrepair and was close to collapse.

A campaign by the Friends of Lapwing Lane Arcade group raised more than £90,000 to restore the antique structure, with PCL chosen to mastermind the project.

Now the veranda, which was formally re-opened in September, has been shortlisted for a Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors award in the ‘Community Benefit’ category.

Karen Ackerley, marketing manager at PCL, said: “The large transformation was a big challenge for the technical team at PCL, but a challenge that was met and completed within budget and schedule.

“The task involved installing a 60 metre glazed canopy and included replacing and refurbishing the columns and spandrels.

“The result – it looks absolutely fantastic.

“The grants and money raised enabled PCL to showcase our excellent workmanship and completely restore the wired glass roof to its former glory.

“To have been nominated for the award is great news for PCL, as we masterminded the project.”

Cemetery Road-based PCL launched in 2009 and since then has grown to a multi-million pound business with more than 100 employees.

The company, which also supplies and fits doors and windows, was first based in Ramsbottom before expanding to Bolton and more recently moving to Radcliffe.

In total, £92,800 was raised by Friends of Lapwing Lane Arcade in donations from benefactors and grants from Manchester Council and the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Experts from PCL replaced the canopy’s roof with specially-commissioned Georgian wired glass and the columns were sandblasted and spandrels cleaned.

Mike Bath, from Friends of Lapwing Lane Arcade, said: “You can see from the columns, having been restored, that the workmanship of 1913 is absolutely fantastic.

“After the sandblasting and the repairs that PCL have done for us they are going to last for another 100 years. The detail of the ornamentation is spectacular.

“PCL, who have masterminded the whole thing, have been fantastic.”

Judges from the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors will visit Lapwing Lane Arcade next month before the award ceremony on April 30.

To watch a video on the transformation: go to philcoppell.co.uk/commercial.php