How can we fix up this victorian fireplace?

[nemnem]

The fireplace in our North London house was like this when we moved in:
http://imgur.com/a/4CTP7
It looks like someone already had a go at removing the paint, but gave up. I think there should be a cast iron insert, which is missing. As far as I can tell, the chimney is blocked with newspaper.
We rent the house, so we don't want to go through too much bother, but if there is something we can do to make it look nicer, we'd be willing to spend a small amount.
It's not necessary to have the fireplace functional (but tips on doing that also appreciated!)

 

[mattylad]

Nitromoors and elbow grease to remove the paint.

Repaint it with the correct stuff.

Then line it with slate in the hole to make it look nice.

 

[nemnem]

Thanks Matt. Complete DIY newbie here. What do you mean by line the inside with slate? As in in Slate tiles? Which area, around it? I'm not sure what to do with the ugly concrete hole in the middle!