I am renovating my house and in the lounge I have opened up the fireplace so that I can have an open fire. I don't want to get a fireback for it (like the old Victorian style) but want to keep it as an an open hole with a firebasket in the middle. Somebody told me I need to render over the exposed brickwork to protect it but I can't remember what render they said to use. Is fire cement ok or is that more for repointing? Also where do I get the appropriate render stuff from/how much does it cost. Thanks for your help

Yes and from a render shop. They'll be able to tell you.

Builders merchant I mean.