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Royal Hall set for TOTAL restoration
28 JUNE 2007: WHEN Harrogate
Borough Council began an £8m restoration of the Royal Hall it
was thought that this budget would bring just a partial restoration
to protect the fabric of the building and that a full restoration
couldn't be achieved within the money available.
The good news is that this innovative 'partnering contract'
between Harrogate Borough Council and the main contractor HBG has
been so well managed that all deferred works have now been
added. And the fund-raising by the Royal Hall
Restoration Trust has exceeded everyone's
expectations. The Trust has provided for all the
"soft" furnishings such as the magnificent decoration of the
auditorium ceiling, drapes, carpets, restored stained glass, new
seating and furniture.
The only stumbling block now to a fully restored and fully
opened building is the replacement of the shabby pre-cast concrete
steps leading up to the front door of this magnificent Grade II*
listed building.
Harrogate Borough Council's Cabinet is expected to agree on
Wednesday, 4 July to fund a further £95,000 of contract work
to replace the existing front steps, which are not original.
Council Leader, Councillor Mike Gardner,
said: "The building will be truly outstanding
and there is little doubt it will become a tourist attraction in
its own right. Replacement of the front steps
was never envisaged from the outset, as the building was never
expected to reach such a high standard of
restoration. Nor did we ever believe that we
would be able to fully re-open it.
"We have a building with a Royal heritage and we want one that
will give a majestic welcome to the many thousands of visitors we
hope to receive in the coming years. How could
we do that with a set of concrete and unoriginal
steps? There is a good Yorkshire saying 'don't
spoil the ship for a ha'p'orth of tar '. I am
therefore happy to recommend that we find the extra £95,000
and provide a new set of stone steps fully in keeping with the
Royal Hall's period and prestigious
restoration." ENDS
NOTE TO EDITORS: The core
£8m contract has achieved the following:
- Full structural repairs within the building, including the removal of substantial areas of defective concrete and replacement with long life materials
- Roof areas have been repaired and made waterproof
- The original mechanical and electrical building services have been replaced with new modern systems
- All deferred works have now been included in the contract including cast iron restoration, plasterwork repairs and a new stage roof with fire safety smoke vents
- Contingency savings have enabled the rear conservatory works to be brought into the scheme.
The Royal Hall Restoration Trust funds of £2.2m have so
far enabled the following to be done:
- Decoration of the auditorium ceiling
- Decoration of the lower auditorium and north and south corridors
- Decoration of the public areas in the basement
- Completion of the upper balcony works, including the lift and the heritage lounge
- Carpets
- Drapes
- Bar area
- Stained glass
- Seating in north and south corridors
- Furniture for the bar area
"As a Grade II* listed building, the Royal Hall is one of the
top 6% of listed buildings in the country. The
Royal Hall will re-open to the public in April 2008.
The £8m contract was funded with a grant of £6m
from the Heritage Lottery Fund and £2m from Harrogate Borough
Council.
The Heritage Lottery Fund enables communities to celebrate,
look after and learn more about our diverse
heritage. From our great museums and historic
buildings to local parks and beauty spots or recording and
celebrating traditions, customs and history, HLF grants open up our
nation's heritage for everyone to enjoy. They have supported more
than 15,000 projects, allocating over £3billion across the
UK.
FURTHER INFORMATION: Councillor
Mike Gardner is available for comment on 01423 500600 ext 6299 or
via Lynne Mee on 01423 556022.