Historic England: Shipwreck, Selfridges and lifeboat memorial given new listed status

The wreck of a ship suspected of liquor smuggling and a 19th century railway station have been included on a national heritage list of places which “will continue to enrich our communities”.

Iconic London department store Selfridges is also among 423 sites which have been awarded new listed status by Historic England.

Heritage minister Nigel Huddleston said: “Thanks to these listings, these heritage sites will continue to enrich our communities for generations to come.”

Here are some of the places that have been given extra protection:

Selfridges, Oxford Street, London

Having previously been Grade II listed, the department store will now be classed as Grade II*, meaning it is a “building of more than special interest”.

Announcing the change, Historic England said of the famous store: “Through elaborate window dressing, excellent customer service and clever advertising, the department store became a social and cultural institution.”

The Old Brig wreck, located by Seasalter in Kent

The well-preserved 18th century merchant ship is believed to have been involved in the smuggling of liquor and illegal goods.

It has been protected for the first time as a scheduled monument.

Beauchamp Lifeboat Memorial, Caister-on-Sea, Norfolk

The memorial – now protected with Grade II status – was unveiled in 1903 to remember nine crew members who lost their lives during a rescue mission in 1901.

On a stormy night, a mission was launched in response to distress signals coming from a ship towards Barber Sands.

Despite the poor conditions, the crew managed to get their boat afloat to begin their mission. However, the boat capsized – trapping the crew beneath and taking nine lives.

The memorial’s broken mast, anchor, lifebuoy and laurel wreaths act as a reminder of the tragic loss of life at sea.

Retford Railway Station, Retford, Nottinghamshire

The station has been listed at Grade II and features a rare surviving example of original tiled finishes in its dining and refreshment rooms, dating back to the late 1800s.

During the Second World War, the station was repurposed as a canteen and rest room by the Women’s Voluntary Service, serving HM and Allied Forces over two million meals between 1940 and 1946.

The Roman Catholic Church of St Mary, Dunstable

The church in Bedfordshire has been granted Grade II listed status.

It has a striking ceiling and was built between 1962 and 1964.

(c) Sky News 2020: Historic England: Shipwreck, Selfridges and lifeboat memorial given new listed status