There’s a quiet nod to Antony Cotton’s life as a resident of Coronation Street in one of the bedrooms of the three storey home he has renovated in the heart of Scarborough’s Old Town.
It is nothing to do with architectural styles – the former church is a long way from Weatherfield’s terraces. No, it comes in the shape of wallpaper. A William Morris design first made in 1917 then revived by Sanderson. A recognisable design in many an eighties home, and also in the aspirational Ken Barlow’s terrace in ‘the Street’ - where it’s there for all to see on screen, even today.
For Antony it is a happy coincidence rather than an homage to ‘The Street’ that has been his workplace since 2003, starring as Sean Tully in the soap.
In the days when he’s not filming for television, Antony keeps himself busy in two main ways. He’s heavily involved with armed forces charities and was appointed an MBE in the 2022 Birthday Honours for services to the British Army, personnel and veterans.
He became involved through friends who had served in Afghanistan and struggled after leaving the services. His advisory and campaigning work continues on a voluntary basis as a patron of a patron of military charities Help for Heroes and the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA) and Sean is a regular visitor to the Catterick base in North Yorkshire.
And his other passion is property, interiors and renovation, particularly the renovation of his latest project, Church House in Scarborough’s Old Town which he has completed as an Airbnb property with partner Peter Eccleston - Hansom their miniature schnauzer making up the family.
It is a town he loves he loves, ‘Scarborough is unique - it is not sprawling, it is quite self-contained, it’s cute.
‘I do honestly believe that the drive into Scarborough as you come in from the big bridge with the sea on your right at night – I don't think there’s a better view than that. It still takes my breath away when I see it.
‘Scarborough is a very honest seaside town and is getting the love it deserves. I probably go over at least once a month, sometimes more than that – I spend a lot of time at Catterick with the Army and often come over after. I love it out of season when it is quiet, and we are in the Old Town which has its own separate vibe.
‘There are so many listed buildings – it is a very historic place and even out of season it does not feel like a ghost town. ‘
The entire former St Sepulchre’s presbyterian church was bought by property developer pals of Antony’s and they created a number of apartments within in the building.
Antony and partner Peter took on the front of the building to create a three storey property with a ground floor kitchen and living room, two first floor bedrooms and an attic bedroom as well as three bathrooms.
‘It is super luxurious’, says Antony.
‘Modern Victorian I like to call it – very comfortable; all pieces of furniture are authentic, there’s nothing that is new, not a single piece of flat-pack furniture in there – it is all Victorian or Edwardian.
Antony has renovated every picture frame by hand – his own home became something of an artisanal workshop, and he’s scoured flea markets, antique centres and auctions across the country to find pieces that fit the period and style to suit Church House.
‘I did it all in my lounge in the house where I live’, he says.
‘It was like a workshop for two years – it drove everyone mad for the past two years while I did it, but it has been worth it. I renovated every bit of furniture - It has had love poured into it and I am very proud of it. It has been a true labour of love.
About three years Antony started thinking of how he wanted the place to look- starting out with thoughts of a contemporary space.
‘There are modern touches like luxurious linen and bathrooms.
‘In the kitchen area there is open shelving with glassware and pots that Antony has collected.
The kitchen was made in Yorkshire by Kitchen Warehouse in Ripon. It is solid wood and painted in a shade called Obsidian Green by Little Green Paint Company.
In the open plan kitchen/living space a chandelier came from a house clearance in Liverpool.
Antony has been all over the country collecting pieces for the house.
‘If I knew I was going to be in London for work I would go and pick things up. I have done it with a green footprint – I wanted it to be sustainable as far as possible.
‘We live in disposable times, and I have found the pieces that were made well and have lasted.’
The main living area is decorated with calming greens colours – with Sanderson print wallpaper in soft sage shades. For his sofas, Antony found fabric trims from old mills. The fabrics and wallpapers throughout the property are William Morris and Sanderson prints complemented with heritage paint colours.
The yellow wallpaper in a bedroom with feature church windows is William Morris Windrush - this is the one on the Coronation Street set as Ken Barlow’s house and it has been there since the first episode.
‘It is an homage of sorts’, laughs Antony. ‘I couldn't find the fabric but tracked a woman who had a roll of it. It was printed in 1984 and she had had it all that time.’
Another bedroom blends contemporary and heritage with dark panelling and a vibrant yellow Sanderson print wallpaper – bold orange cushions bringing the look together.
All the rooms have high ceilings dramatic windows reflecting the architecture of the Victorian church. Bedrooms are full of contrasting colours and textures with throws and cushions - and unique prints and art. Room-darkening blinds keep things cosy.
Antony has sought some genuine antiques that give a nod to Scarborough’s heritage and create a sense of place in Church House. Among them, some fishing reels and a pair of oars. There are also original prints and sketches of the seaside town from its heyday as a fashionable resort.
Elsewhere there are church chairs in the kitchen with their bible holders and a hymn board, giving a nod to the heritage of the building.
There are sweet touches throughout, such as the engraved Church House water glasses in the bathrooms.
‘These were made by a veteran who has a business called The Highland Engraver – it is nice to be able to give business to people like that.
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‘The bathrooms were from the Cast Iron Bath Company in Scarborough – couldn't recommend them highly enough – yes, we have done pretty much the whole thing with Yorkshire suppliers.’
A striped carpet in the hallway is one of the few modern touches, ‘I took a punt on that and hoped it would look right’, says Antony. It looks great. I had rugs made to match.’
Whatever he does – be it with his Army charity work, his acting – or with his renovation project, Antony commits hard and is perfectionist.
‘Whatever you do, I believe you should do it with all of your heart and with all of your soul.
‘That is how I approach my work with the armed forces and that is how I approached doing this house. I spent far too much money on it, but it is beautiful, and I want people to go and have a beautiful time there and love it like we do.
‘I wanted people to say that’s the nicest Airbnb in Scarborough.’
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