Against a grey London skyline, a spiky round brush protruded from the chimney of a large family house as Josh Firkins got to work. Chimney sweeps were once an essential part of British life, when households relied on coal and wood-burning fires to heat their homes. Now, many sweeps, including those in the Firkins family business, say the trade has been experiencing an improbable resurgence. Chimney sweeps have been in business in Britain since at least 1519, the date of the first recorded payment to one, according to a history of the trade, "British Chimney Sweeps” by Benita Cullingford. More than a century and a half after the family business began, chimney sweeping remains profitable for H Firkins & Sons.

Source: The Star February 05, 2026 08:01 UTC