Plasterers and Renderers in Churchtown
The old village end of Southport, where what you are not allowed to do matters as much as what you can.
A village core with rules attached
Churchtown is the oldest part of Southport and the heart of it is a conservation area, with listed and locally-listed buildings scattered through it and thatch still on a few of them. That changes the first question on any external job from what would look best to what is actually permitted, because on a listed building or in a conservation area rendering an elevation that was never rendered is a change of appearance, not a maintenance job.
We are not a planning consultant and we will not pretend otherwise. What we will do is tell you plainly when we think a job needs consent before anyone touches it, rather than quoting for work that puts you in front of the council afterwards. On plenty of Churchtown property the honest answer is that the outside should be repaired and repointed and left looking like what it is.
Lime-era walls do not want a modern coat
Much of the older Churchtown stock predates cavity construction and a good deal of it predates cement. Those walls were built to move slightly, to take up water and to give it back through soft mortar and soft plaster. Coat one in a hard modern render and the water stops leaving through the face; it goes further in, comes out somewhere else, and takes the brick or the stone with it when it freezes.
So the specification here is led by the wall rather than the catalogue. Breathable materials, soft mixes, and repair rather than replacement wherever the original is sound. That is slower and it is more hand work, and it is the difference between a repair that lasts and one that quietly does damage for ten years.
Interiors are where most of the work is
Behind those frontages are the deepest cornices and the best ceilings in the area — run mouldings, roses, arched hallways, moulded stair strings, most of it painted over so many times the detail has gone soft. Bringing that back is careful hand work: taking the profile off a sound length of original, running new work to match it, and stopping the new where the old still has something to give.
The other constant is ceilings. Lath and plaster that has started to part from the joists is usually past patching, and overboarding and skimming is the sound answer — but it has to be worked up to the cornice rather than across it. Skimming straight over an original cornice takes an afternoon and cannot be undone.
What we are asked for most in Churchtown
Decorative Plasterwork
Cornice, ceiling roses and panelled ceilings restored, matched and run in where sections are missing.
Read moreInternal Plastering
Skimming, float and set, ceilings and repairs. Flat walls that take paint evenly and stay that way.
Read moreExternal Rendering
Re-rendering tired, cracked and blown elevations — including stripping off failed pebbledash first.
Read moreSilicone Rendering Systems
Breathable, through-coloured render built up over Atlas basecoat and mesh. No paint film to fail.
Read moreQuestions from Churchtown customers
Our house is in the conservation area. Can it be rendered?
Sometimes, and sometimes it should not be. Rendering an elevation that was never rendered changes the appearance of the building, and in a conservation area or on a listed property that is a question for the council before it is a question for a plasterer. We will tell you when we think consent is needed rather than quote around it.
Can you match cornice that is missing in places?
Yes. Where a sound length of the original survives we take the profile off it and run new work to match, then piece it in. It is hand work and it takes longer than replacing the lot with something off the shelf, which is exactly why it is worth doing on a period room.
Do you cover Churchtown?
Yes. We work from Sheepfold Close in Southport and Churchtown is a couple of miles up the road, so it is one of the closest places we go. We can usually come and look at a job within a few days of you calling.
Can I see work you have done near Churchtown?
The gallery on this site is all our own work across Southport and the coast, grouped by service. If you want to see something specific — a silicone render, a media wall, a restored ceiling — ask when you call and we will point you at the relevant photos.
What customers say
4.7 out of 5 from 12 reviews on Google. Every review below is verbatim from that profile.
Anthony's just finished skimming the lounge. He prepared it all thoroughly and was so conscientious throughout. He arrived punctual in the mornings and never stopped until it was finished. He's done a brilliant job the room looks immaculate. He left it so clean and tidy afterwards. We would recommend him to anyone.
Anthony has done a fantastic job on our rendering. Excellent communication from start to finish and has always been responsive. He has turned up every day early and has left the place spotless. Couldn't fault the service and would use again and recommend to others. Thank you so much.
Anthony rendered the gable wall and single storey kitchen of my house. He did an excellent job of the work. Anthony fully explained the process and where he was up to as it progressed. He made sure that surrounding area and walls were protected from any debris or render during the process and did an excellent job of cleaning up both as it progressed and at the end. Anthony was also a pleasure to deal with as a tradesman. In addition his price was really competitive compared to other renderers who quoted. When I get the rest of the house re-rendered I will certainly be using Birkdale Plastering and Rendering.
I recently had the front of my house rendered by birkdale plastering and rendering, and couldn't be happier with the results. From start to finish Anthony was professional, friendly and highly skilled. The quality of the rendering is outstanding, giving my home a fresh, modern look. Anthony paid great attention to detail, kept everything tidy and completed the job on time. If you're looking for expert rendering services I highly recommend birkdale plastering and rendering. Fantastic workmanship and excellent customer service. Thank you Anthony!
Anthony did an amazing job re-rendering our bungalow. The finish is flawless, and our home looks brand new! Professional, tidy, and efficient from start to finish. Highly recommend Birkdale Plastering and Rendering. Thanks again!
Anthony is prompt, professional and friendly in nature. He arrived when he said he would and completed all plastering work to an excellent standard. He also did an amazing job with my coving. I would 100% recommend him for all plastering work 😊 ...
Get a free written estimate
Tell us what the walls are doing and we will come and look. You will get an honest assessment and a written price, with no obligation and no pressure.
Get in touch
Tell us what the walls are doing and we will come and look. Free written estimate, no obligation.
- Phone 07923 545449
- Email anthony9thompson@yahoo.co.uk
- Address 2 Sheepfold Cl., Southport PR8 6RL
- Opening hours Every day, 7am – 8pm