A HISTORIC roofing company, which went into voluntary liquidation earlier this year, has been given a second lease of life.

Hexham-based Mathew Charlton (Slaters) was formally placed into voluntary liquidation in April by insolvency practitioners Taylor Rowlands, with the loss of 40 jobs.

Now, Wensley Roofing of Chester-le-Street, County Durham, has ensured the survival of the iconic Matthew Charlton brand, which will operate as the heritage division of Wensley Roofing.

Although the firm was unable to save the jobs lost at Matthew Charlton, Wensley has recruited the company’s former managing director, Alan Chapman, as heritage manager.

Matthew Charlton (Slaters) was believed to be the UK’s oldest-established roofing contractor, which was established in 1842, that finally fell victim to the recession in the building trade a few months before its 170th anniversary.

Matthew Charlton, the builders merchants in Hexham, was not affected by the collapse of the roofing business. It was Matthew Charlton in name only, having been sold off to DIY giants Jewson’s in 2001.

Also unaffected was Matthew Charlton slate merchants, which is operated by Angus Charlton, the sixth generation of his family to be involved in the roofing business.

This part of the Charlton group of companies operates its own slate quarry in China.

Matthew Charlton (Slaters) was highly respected in the building world, not least for prestigious re-roofing contracts at Hexham Abbey, Alnwick Castle, and Durham Cathedral.