In terms of the mantle - it may have been something more fancy previously. We have 3 fireplaces in our little 2x1 - including the one with the stove. Here is a photo of one of them - although it looks like the timber mantle and surrounds have been screwed on at a later date to suit the house rather than being original.

I want to do the same to free up a ‘stretch’ of bench space, rather than having only small work areas in the corner and ends of our small L shape. I am talking stove top only as oven will be in a tower with microwave. That means the cupboard underneath can utilise the whole space, albeit with relatively small door (430mm). We would have to offset the range hood on the adjacent wall due to window position but have been advised the modern hoods are powerful enough to extract steam without necessarily being positioned absolutely over the hot plates.

Need to change my oven after having had a lousy Arda brand that has given me grief for the last 6 year. What’s the best induction stove to buy in medium price range

If you install a cooktop and then an under bench oven or a wall oven, this gives more design capabilities than just a freestanding combined cooktop and oven. With separate appliances your not restricted in your kitchen design. Wall ovens are better ergonomically.