Experts who worked on the restoration of Kenilworth Castle have been drafted in to help reconstruct a gentlemen’s outfitters shop at the Black Country Living Museum and bring a piece of history back to life.

Workers from Heritage Joinery Ltd are relying on an old black and white photograph of Morrall’s Outfitters to help them piece it together as it would have looked in the late 19th century.

They are working had to study the intricate timber designs on the front of the shop to create a true imitation.

Mike Skillen from Heritage Joinery said: “The shop front is a typical late 19th century timber design which is, by today’s standards, quite complicated.

“The window has intricate tracery at the top and is framed by a number of columns. Very few people today have the skills and craftsmanship to reproduce this kind of work.”

Morrall’s Outfitters is one of a number of shops being brought back to life in the museum’s new High Street and is part of the £10 million Street’s Ahead expansion programme.

Funding of £45,750 has been given to the attraction to help it reconstruct the shop which was in Hall Street, Dudley.

The cash has been allocated by the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts, which manages a pot of money under the banner of Biffaward. The waste services giant Biffa donates landfill tax credits to the fund to be used for worthwhile projects.

Morrall’s shop front will reflect the fashions of the day and window displays will contain vintage clothing and reproduction items.

Woollen overcoats, flannel trousers, blazers, shirts and detachable collars will all be making a comeback and will be in the shop at 1930s prices.

The shop was known as Morrall’s Gentlemen’s Outfitters until 1934. 

It later became Rogers, also a tailors, from 1934 until 1952.

It stood empty for two years before being taken over by Doris Hall, from Sedgley, and her late husband  Arthur Ashmore trading as Arthur Ashmore Tailors.