Royal Hall contractor appointed
ONE
of the country's largest construction groups, HBG Construction Limited, has this week been awarded the contract to undertake pre-construction work on the £8m Royal Hall restoration scheme.
HBG, which has local offices in Leeds, has just completed a successful £12m restoration of Sheffield City Hall and will now start work with Harrogate Borough Council's project team to take the Royal Hall's restoration scheme through to the detailed design stages.
The project team is confident that this pre-construction contract will result in HBG being awarded a full contract in March 2006 to carry out the restoration works.
This nationally important Grade II* listed building, designed by the famous Victorian Theatre Architect Frank Matcham, is being restored with a £6m grant from Heritage Lottery Fund and £2m of council funding.
The Royal Hall Restoration Fund has also committed itself to raising £1m towards the project.
Councillor Mike Gardner, Leader of the Council, said:
"The company's appointment follows a rigorous competitive tendering process carried out by the council's project team with support from
Turner & Townsend who are our external project managers and cost consultants.
I know that the team has been diligent in assessing the tenders and I am pleased that the proposals submitted by HBG are in line with the council's expectations.
"The company certainly has a wealth of experience in restoring historically important buildings and we will no doubt be able to draw on valuable lessons they have learned during other high value contracts".
HBG was also responsible for the transformation of the Baltic Flour Mill at Gateshead into an eye-catching art centre.
Other high profile contracts include works for Marks & Spencer, which is one of HBG's leading repeat businesses, having worked on the renewal of many M&S stores including the chain's flagship at London's Marble Arch.
Mr Roger Mansell, Regional Director of HBG Construction NE Ltd, said: "We are delighted to be involved in the restoration of the Royal Hall.
We understand how much value local people and visitors place on this wonderful old building.
W
e have a wealth of experience to bring to the table and I hope that other successful projects we have carried out locally will instil confidence in the council and the community that we will work hard to bring about this restoration."
HBG aims to work closely with the council and the Harrogate International Centre (HIC) to ensure that the important business of conference and exhibitions in the surrounding HIC complex continues unaffected.
Special attention will be given to the management of vehicles, deliveries and access.
ENDS
FURTHER INFORMATION: Councillor Mike Gardner is available for comment on 01423 500600 ext 6299 or via Lynne Mee on 01423 556022 or email
lynne.mee@harrogate.gov.uk.
Further technical information is available from Mr Martin Weeks, Head of Property Management on 01423 556641.