SAIF Golden Charter

Listed building’s new lease of life

Hillier Funeral Service, a fourth-generation family run and independent funeral business, has announced its head office move to Kinsghill House in Old Town, Swindon.

The firm outgrew its office on Victoria Road, which was for administration only, and was searching for a number of years to find a suitable building which provided parking, space for a mortuary and chapels. The team finally found Kingshill House, which matched all their requirements. Being a Grade II listed Italian villa, they knew obtaining planning permission would be difficult and it has been a two-and-a-half-year project from the offer being accepted to finishing the renovations.

“We are so pleased with the final result,” said Managing Director Mark Hillier. “Our dream was to create an inviting and relaxing space for our clients to arrange funerals, visit their loved ones and even hold the funeral service.”

Mark added: “The move is incredibly important to the Hillier family as it will allow us to continue to provide a high level of customer service to the Swindon community. We now have chapels, mortuary facilities and caretaker accommodation at all three of our branches.

“As the building is so iconic in Swindon, previously a maternity home for more than 30 years, we held an open week in early December and received very positive comments about the renovation. We’ve given the building a new lease of life and opened it back up to the community.”

The firm will have two arrangement offices, three peaceful chapels of rest, a grand service room to hold funerals with up to 40 people, plenty of parking and two caretaker flats.