davidm3112
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Cubist
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IMO - If that is not unstable right now it will be in the not too distant future.
Is the square plate under that brickwork made of steel? If not, what?
All that weight is ultimately carried on the galvanised box steel frame which has been embedded in the brickwork and sealed in place with mortar. The cut ends of the steel will be exposed to corrosive elements in the mortar and will ultimately cause it to fail leading to a possible collapse of the brick flue above and perhaps elements of the outer wall of the property. Its definitely worth correcting sooner rather than later.
Is the square plate under that brickwork made of steel? If not, what?
All that weight is ultimately carried on the galvanised box steel frame which has been embedded in the brickwork and sealed in place with mortar. The cut ends of the steel will be exposed to corrosive elements in the mortar and will ultimately cause it to fail leading to a possible collapse of the brick flue above and perhaps elements of the outer wall of the property. Its definitely worth correcting sooner rather than later.
stuart45
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Have you got an open fire below?
davidm3112
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yes but havent lit in years as been semi-abandoned for 40 years
davidm3112
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im gessing steel
stuart45
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You might be able to build up a brick fireback from the bottom up to the flue above, removing the bodged brickwork.
davidm3112
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davidm3112
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its not the deepest of inserts havent got the bigest of bugets that could be a possabilaty but trying to find the right red's to match could be tricky
LadyArowana
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Do a quick magnet test. TBH I would be surprised if it wasn’t steel, but you never know with bizarre previous works.
CliffordPope
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Why not just remove the brickwork resting on the frame and use a section of twin-wall duct to connect the hood into the chimney?
CelesteBallinger
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I'd say best get someone who knows their stuff to check it over, just to be sure its safe. might be worth fixin' up right now rather than riskin' biger probs later 
Cubist
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My reason for asking about that (perhaps steel) plate is that copper and steel make poor bedfellows and the corrosion can proceed very quickly. Given the lack of verdigris on the surface of the canopy though the copper may have been coated during manufacture and this could be limiting the effects. Nevertheless it would be wise to check the condition of the joint between the canopy and the plate. While doing so you should also examine the plate to see if there has been any corrosion resulting from its contact with the mortar.
It seems evident that there would have been a fire-basket sited immediately below the canopy but its use may have pre-dated the installation of the wooden floor - it would not be compliant with Building Regs now I suspect.
I must admit that the design of the old chimney is rather baffling me and some additional photos of the wall immediately behind and beneath the canopy and, if possible, some of the void currently hidden in darkness above and on all sides of the chimneys interior may be helpful. It may also help if you could tell us about your longer term plans, if any, for that space?
It seems evident that there would have been a fire-basket sited immediately below the canopy but its use may have pre-dated the installation of the wooden floor - it would not be compliant with Building Regs now I suspect.
I must admit that the design of the old chimney is rather baffling me and some additional photos of the wall immediately behind and beneath the canopy and, if possible, some of the void currently hidden in darkness above and on all sides of the chimneys interior may be helpful. It may also help if you could tell us about your longer term plans, if any, for that space?
I'd say that hood has been there 100 years, possibly newer metal support. If the metalwork isn't wobbly, I'd leave well alone. It will outlast you. The worse that happens is a few new bricks fall into an inglenook area. Paint the hood with fire black, add a nice freestanding grate below as a focal point, and enjoy.
philpjuk100
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When we moved in there was a logburner fitted into a smaller chimney built into the inglenook. We had the flue swept, the sweep said it swept easily and was not too "sooty" We used the logburner and it worked really well until we had a bad chimney fire. It was too bad to fight myself even after emptying a large fire extinguisher up it and had to call the fire brigade. When investigating what had happened we found the gap between the inglenook and the smaller chimney had been filled in with oak boards and plastered over and what we had thought was a liner was really just four one metre flue pipes stacked up. Have now had it rebuilt with fireproof board and a proper liner fitted. Many wheelbarrows full of soot were dug out with the rubble but it got everywhere, cost us a lot redecorating, new kitchen units carpets etc. Dont take risks with chimneys!
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Cubist
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If the hint in the last photo posted by the OP is anything to go by, then a fireplace sited there at ground level and to the rear of the inglenook, seems a very strong possibility. I suspect a photo taken square on at that level would reveal brick columns with an arched brick closure to the flue above. If thats correct then Phils last suggestion appears an appropriate alternative.