Newly uncovered chimney breast

[Horsebeach]

Newly uncovered fireplace

Hi all, I’ve recently uncovered this fireplace behind plaster and now have the aim of restoring the brick and opening it up to make it a feature

I couldn’t help but notice there’s a crack kind of running down the centre from the top and the arch seems fairly uneven. (The right side is lower than the left)

Does anyone think this is something to worry about structurally or is it just a case of repointing and re laying a couple of loose bricks?

Also included is a photo of the lintel?? I think that’s what it is anyway. Seems to be a metal arch under the brick arch

(The tanking membrane on the left isn’t staying btw)

Thanks!

 

[ree]

OP,
You actually have a double course brick arch.
The metal profile support bar is original, dont mess with it.
Most of what we see below the arch is in-fill, the original fireplace opened up to a full 9" brick on either side.

Why not rake out & point up the brickwork above the arch up to the ceiling?
You could then slowly remove, a course at a time, the in-fill below the arch but leave the 9" bricks alone.
If you felt it necessary, you could build up the 9" sides to whatever you feel comfortable with?

When you've opened up & removed the tanking then why not post pics of what you've revealed?
The flue will need sweeping and smoke testing.