Has being in lockdown made you remember with greater fondness the places you once visited? We’re all feeling the effects of staying socially distant and not getting around as much as we’re used to. For us, it’s made us appreciate afresh how much of our wonderful country we get to see in the name of work.

Watching the news coverage of our gorgeous British cities abandoned is so sad. So, we thought we’d take a virtual journey through our archives to recall the amazing work we’ve been lucky enough to complete and celebrate our five favourite UK cities!

Edinburgh

Let’s start at the top because it deserves top spot on our list! This is somewhere we would definitely encourage you to go, if you haven’t discovered its delights already. Edinburgh has a flavour all its own, not only because of its culinary charm of haggis and shortbread but also its distinctive appearance and atmosphere.

We had the pleasure of being invited to fit secondary glazing to the National Galleries of Scotland in the heart of Edinburgh, home to one of the best collections of fine art in the world.

We think the building is an impressive artistic statement on its own! It was an absolute privilege to help with its refurbishment.

Leeds

Leeds is on often overlooked city, but one we really enjoyed spending time in. It is the cultural, financial and commercial heart of West Yorkshire and was once a major centre for the production and trade of wool throughout the 17^th and 18^th centuries. It is also home to the UK’s fourth largest student population.

We quote the student population as Leeds University was the purpose of our visit. We’ve been lucky enough to work on some magnificent university buildings, but the Parkinson Building of the University of Leeds stood out. In fact, it’s hard to miss thanks to its 187 ft-high clock tower!

We always find universities awe-inspiring, which is part of their purpose. They are built to inspire creativity and cultivate brilliance. It always raises a smile when we traverse the M621 as the Parkinson Building tower is visible even though 12 miles from the motorway.

Leicester

Leicester’s landmarks are an eclectic mix of past, present and future. the Pick Building in Leicester – a former knitwear factory which has a new lease of life as luxury apartments.

Leicester has made our list because it’s a perfect example of how our cities evolve. Its landmarks are a truly eclectic mix of past, present and future. Its oldest landmark, Jewry Wall, dates back to Roman times as far as 125–30 AD whilst the city also houses the futuristic National Space Centre, celebrating the strides being taken in space travel and exploration.

We love that our work can also combine old and new. Our work in Leicester was part of a project to repurpose an old factory, the Pick Building, transforming it into modern, luxury apartments. This is a great way of preserving a city’s heritage, so old buildings aren’t lost but can continue to be used and looked after whilst providing suitable and comfortable accommodation for modern life.

London

We love working on historic buildings across the UK, but there’s something about preserving the history of our capital that engenders an extra sense of pride.

A visit to London is always exciting – it’s such a hub of activity and you’re surrounded by the historic landmarks we’ve grown up revering such as Buckingham Palace, London Bridge, the Tower of London, Westminster and Big Ben.

Some of our latest projects have taken us to the heart of Mayfair, to one of the first Georgian squares to have been built in the 1720s in the West End of London, Hanover Square and to a highly desirable Victorian terrace in Cranley Gardens.

A project that stands out for us, however, is our work on Soho House, one of the city’s most renowned high-end boutique hotels.

Built in 1732, this four-floor grade II-listed building is one of Westminster’s oldest mid-Georgian townhouses. It is a building with enormous historical significance and a long line of fascinating tenants, including a variety of Earls and Chancellors, a pair of leather cutters and at one point in the 1800s, “300 women at work for the army”.

We felt honoured to be invited to help with its restoration.

Bath

What can we say about beautiful Bath? Built for pleasure and relaxation, it has been a wellbeing destination since Roman times and we can’t help but feel revitalised after a visit – even if we don’t always have time to enjoy the spas!

Bath’s stunning honey-coloured Georgian architecture is straight from a Jane Austen novel and you feel transported in time walking its streets.

It’s a showcase of historic Britain and knowing we’re supporting its tourist trade by working on the renowned Abbey Hotel makes us incredibly proud. Hotels and the tourism trade may be struggling at the moment, but we hope they will see an influx of support and an increased appreciation for the service they offer when we are allowed to travel again.

This is an ongoing project that we’ve had to halt at the moment, but are very much looking forward to returning to later this year.

For more information or to book a free no-obligation survey, simply give us a call on 01384 63 63 65 or email sales@stormwindows.co.uk.

Proud to be celebrating 20 years in business.