Widnes crematorium made a profit of over £400,000 last year as the number of cremations more than doubled.

The figures were revealed in a report to the council’s ruling executive board, which is being urged to approve £200,000 for a new cremator in order to offset what the report called ‘serious risk’ of delays to operations.

The report revealed that two cremators were installed in the town’s crematorium in 2014 which had an expected lifespan of 15 years, but the original installer ATI UK – which also had the maintenance and repair contract – went out of business in March last year, just a week before Covid restrictions began.

The council entered into a temporary arrangement with another company which leased a temporary cremator for £8,000 a month, but now wants to install a permanent replacement for £200,000.

The number of cremations carried out last year was 1,227, more than double the 567 in 2014. 

The same report also revealed that Widnes Crematorium generated an income of £762,000 last year.

Operating costs were £227,000 giving a surplus of £535,000. Part of this was used to offset the cost of providing cemeteries, but even when that was taken into consideration there was still a surplus of £417,000.

The report added: “At present, there is significant risk to the Widnes Crematorium operation.

“Although mitigated because of the hire of a temporary cremator should both ATI UK Ltd cremators fail at the same time it would be extremely difficult to carry out the number of cremations that are required without there being serious delays.”