DAI wrote:

Hello,

Thanks for the advise. I have reviewed the insurance, but there are
not specific aspects related to maintenance. The family has several
similar properties; one has installed a woodburner with liner, the
other has two wonderful inglenooks fully original but without parging,
and then there's mine. One reputable chimney company is happy to
reline with Isobond and a refractory mortar, or metal liner.


You do not want to restrict flue dimesnions for an open fire.

Lining is appropriate. but steer clear of metal liners for open fires.

Talk to your local building control: If they OK it, the insurance will
be fine.

Not sure what parging is either :-)