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. We 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.