Thanks for that - was much as we suspected unfortunately.
Not something we will probably consider in the short term - looks like it's going to need to be blocked off annoyingly!
Hoping for some advice...
We have recently purchased a 1930s former council house which has not had much updating - needs a full rewire and central heating installed.
In the corner of the kitchen is an unused chimney breast (the opening is large enough to fit a cooker, and comes to around chest...