Tag Archives: Heritage

News

£2m restoration works completed at Manchester Opera House theatre

A £2m facelift for the façade of Manchester’s historic Opera House theatre has been completed.

Salford-based MC Construction was the principal contractor for the scheme.

The restoration project included extensive repairs to the render, brickwork, windows and ironmongery fixings, weatherproofing works, the replacement of rainwater goods and a full decoration of the main façade to ensure a more historically authentic exterior and to help safeguard the venue for future generations to enjoy.

Careful analysis of the existing paint layers stretching back over a century was undertaken, so that the colour scheme of the 15-bay façade and windows now better reflects how the venue would have looked when it opened in 1912.

The theatre remained open throughout the restoration project.

The scheme forms a significant part of a £4.5m capital investment this financial year across the Opera House and its sister venue in Manchester city centre, the Palace Theatre, which are both owned by ATG Entertainment.

The Opera House is a grade II listed building which was originally called The New Theatre. It has been through several iterations and was renamed the Opera House in 1920.

It is one of the largest theatres in England, with a seating capacity of 1,920. The venue plays host to high-profile concerts, plays, musicals, ballets and a Christmas pantomime.

Famous shows performed there over the years include Phantom of the Opera, Barnum and Oliver! plus a host of world premieres, such as Bat Out of Hell: The Musical and Take That‘s musical The Band. During its long history, it has also served as a bingo hall and a cinema.

Russ Forshaw, managing director of MC Construction, said: “Drawing on our extensive experience of successfully delivering projects at numerous listed buildings and other landmarks across the city, such as The Whitworth art gallery, Manchester Museum and the Imperial Chinese Arch in Chinatown, we are delighted to have undertaken this restoration scheme at the Opera House, which is less than a mile from our company headquarters.

“Once again, our team have produced the goods and left their mark on a cherished Manchester building. It was great to work with the ATG Entertainment, whose ongoing investment in its buildings ensures they can continue to delight audiences across the north west and beyond.”

Robin Hawkes, theatre director at the Opera House and Palace Theatre, said: “In tandem with the Palace, the Opera House has been a jewel in the heart of Manchester’s cultural fabric for many generations.

“I am delighted we’ve been able to restore and refresh the theatre’s beautiful Edwardian exterior, as part of a wider suite of works which will improve the experience of everybody visiting and using the two venues for years to come.”

Stefan Ziemelis, senior project manager at ATG Entertainment, added: “In addition to delivering essential repair works, this project has also been driven by the celebration of the intrinsic character and uniqueness that is woven into this heritage building.

“Working with our partners to breathe new life into the Opera House has been a rewarding experience, and it’s good to know that the work we have completed here will preserve and protect the theatre for future generations of theatre lovers.

“The façade restoration project has been carried out by MC Construction and its partners in a thoroughly professional manner with minimal disruption to our patrons, and we are delighted with the outcome.”

Other professionals involved in the Opera House restoration project included Motion Project Management, Osbornes Chartered Architects, quantity surveyors Marshall Kenny and design consultancy ORSA.

MC Construction is a family-owned business which employs more than 60 staff.

Founded in 1971, the company delivers complex construction projects throughout north west England with a focus on the commercial, education, heritage, hospitality, industrial, local authority, social housing and healthcare sectors.

Appointments, News

City & Country appoints new Development Director

When Ben Mackett joined developer and heritage specialist City & Country after he graduated in 2010, he worked directly with David Sargeant, the company’s Development Director at the time and one of the owners of the business.

Now, after working on the other side of the Atlantic, Mackett is returning to take over his friend’s old role – re-joining the company as Development Director and looking forward to inspiring and equipping the next generation of young graduates.

After graduating from Anglia Ruskin University in Chelmsford, Mackett joined City & Country as one of its first graduate entrants, and was given the chance to work in various departments across the business learning the ropes, before settling into a role helping David Sargeant with projects across the south east of England. “It was a great learning curve,” he recalls.

Four years later he moved to live in London and spent four years working for a project management consultancy called Tower 8, broadening his experience, including working on the Lanesborough Hotel, The Hoxton Hotel and The Broadway apartment complex.

After experiencing the rush of working in central London, Mackett wanted to extend his horizons further still. “I really wanted to work abroad, so I started applying for jobs overseas at other project management consultant firms.”
This led to four years working in Los Angeles on a range of projects from retail to office to residential (both new build and refurbishment). “Construction in America is very different, even the language is different,” he says. “I already knew how to build and manage projects, but the processes and contracts were not the same so this definitely took some getting used to. I was also pushed out of my comfort zone as I was managing my own team for the first time – however, I soon became comfortable and now really enjoy this aspect.”

“I had been planning to stay in Los Angeles when I was offered the role at City & Country – going full circle to have the position of development director. I couldn’t turn it down, I wanted to jump in and take the opportunity with a fresh perspective from my diverse experience over the intervening years.”

Mackett’s new role as Development Director involves being active in many areas of the business, including managing projects and project teams at sites predominantly in London and Bristol keeping time, cost, quality and risk under control.

“I have kept in contact with David Sargeant throughout my career and we have stayed on friendly terms, so it’s really exciting to be rejoining the company at a senior level and taking on his old job. The company has changed a lot since I worked there as a graduate, particularly with the growth of the new build side of the business which I’ve had great experience in over the last few years; I’m also particularly passionate about the renovations side of the business – I’m really looking forward to working on such a diverse portfolio.” says Mackett.

“I’m especially excited about working on The 1840 – it’s a big project transforming a great building,” he says. The 1840, near Wandsworth Common in South West London, is a major restoration project sensitively converting a redundant Grade II Listed hospital building into apartments. “It’s fantastic to see this old NHS building that was run down and in disrepair having a new lease of life – it will be an amazing place to live!”

Mackett continued, “The key goals I hope to achieve in this role are mainly around creating high-performing teams, so people feel challenged when they come to work but have fun at the same time. I don’t want a top-down approach, but a working environment where everyone has ownership of their own role and the opportunity to excel.”

He loves the role of Development Director as it involves so many different aspects of the business. “I will be involved in design, planning, cost and customer care – the job is constantly changing so I will never get bored as I’m not doing the same thing every day. I’m looking forward to being constantly challenged!”

David Sargeant, Director at City & Country, added: “We are delighted to have Ben Mackett on board and are pleased that after exploring the world he has decided to return to his roots for the next stage of his career, back to where it all began.”

Construction, Construction News, News, North of England

MC Construction completes facelift for 18th century mansion house

An historic council-owned building in Stockport has been refurbished to provide modern offices for community-based adult social workers.

Salford-based MC Construction has completed a project which has created new office space on the first floor of Gatley Hill House, a former public library on Church Road, Gatley.

The Georgian mansion house, built in the mid-18th century, houses a community centre on the ground floor which the council rents out for meetings and social events.

The first floor had been vacant for years but has now been brought back into use as office space for around 40 social workers covering Gatley, Cheadle and Bramhall, who are relocating from other existing offices around the borough.

Jo Smith, construction lead for Stockport Council, said: “Thanks to the successful completion of this project, the team has a much better and bigger working environment and will be able to operate more effectively.

“It is pleasing to bring the first floor of Gatley Hill House back into use, while also carrying out improvements to the ground floor for the benefit of the wider community.

“The works carried out by MC Construction have preserved and significantly enhanced the condition of the building in a manner that is sympathetic to its heritage, which is extremely satisfying to see.”

MC Construction undertook a programme of external and structural works as well as an internal revamp of the two-storey building, which is set in parkland and lies within the Gatley Village Conservation Area.

The project included the installation of a new roof, windows and rainwater goods, underpinning, interior partitions and doors, new mechanical and electrical systems, a refurbishment of the kitchen and washrooms, new office access and fire alarm systems, a rewire, and decoration. Original features were repaired and refurbished wherever possible.

Electric vehicle charging points have been installed in the grounds as part of the scheme.

David Lowe, managing director of MC Construction, said: “The project has greatly modernised a lovely historic building which was in need of significant repair, leading to an improved appearance, restoring the first floor to good use, improving the energy performance of the building and positively benefiting the environment with the installation of electric vehicle charging points.

“I’m extremely proud of our team who worked on this scheme, which truly showcases our expertise in sympathetically and successfully updating and regenerating heritage buildings.

“Alongside our own staff, we were delighted that all of the contractors appointed to work on the project were located within a 30-mile radius of the building, ensuring a significant sum went back into the local economy and once again demonstrating our commitment to adding social value to the work we undertake.”

Construction, Construction News, News, North of England

MC Construction brings historic cottages back to life in £1.1m project for One Manchester

A row of historic cottages in Manchester which lay empty for nearly a decade have been brought back to life as affordable homes following a £1.1m refurbishment project.

The six terraced houses known as Westwood Cottages, which have Grade II listed status and are owned by One Manchester, have been given a facelift by Salford-based contractor MC Construction.

The cottages, in Raby Street, Moss Side, were built in 1876 as alms houses by prominent industrialist John Robinson in memory of his sister, Edith Marianne Robinson. They stand as individual dwellings in one block built in Flemish Gothic style.

The cottages were vacated almost a decade ago and their condition subsequently deteriorated. They became a target for vandalism and anti-social behaviour, and many of their original features were removed.

One Manchester, which provides housing and community services across the city, appointed MC Construction to carry out the renovations following the granting of planning approval and listed building consent.

The cottages are in an area of Moss Side earmarked for regeneration, including the delivery of new and suitable housing stock.

MC Construction’s team carried out a comprehensive programme of internal and external repairs and refurbishments and the cottages have now been returned to use as two-bedroom homes for affordable rent.

The project team worked closely with planning and local heritage officers to ensure the building was sympathetically refurbished. This involved retaining and restoring key features, including original gothic arched front doors, and using heritage-approved materials such as cast iron guttering, timber framed casement windows, and ironmongery.

Each cottage has had a complete internal refurbishment, including the installation of a new kitchen, bathroom, boiler and heating system and a rewire. Additional living space has been created at each property with a single-storey rear glazed extension to form a conservatory, making the homes more suitable for family accommodation.

Historical features such as mosaic porch floor tiles and the front doors have been retained.

The external works have included a refurbishment of the roof, new windows, repairs to the brickwork, chimneys and stonework, and landscaping.

David Lowe, Managing Director at MC Construction, said: “The refurbishment of Westwood Cottages has been a tremendously satisfying project for MC Construction.

“Working closely with a number of key stakeholders, we have successfully retained a part of the city’s heritage while giving a new lease of life to this historic building to provide affordable and energy-efficient homes for families in an area where there is a need for this type of accommodation.

“It has been a pleasure working with One Manchester, the city council and the other parties involved to bring this scheme to a successful conclusion.”

One Manchester Chief Executive Nicole Kershaw said: “I am delighted to see the Grade II listed Westwood Cottages back in use as affordable homes for local families.

“The cottages had been empty for several years, and we have worked hard to create light and spacious contemporary homes internally, whilst preserving the heritage qualities and landscaped shared gardens.

“We have also improved the insulation levels to achieve our 2030 energy efficiency targets, meaning the homes will be warm and affordable to run.”

News

Pegasus Group economics director joins Institute of Economic Development Board

“The more people we can get together from economic development – public and private sector – to help to lead the economic development agenda and influence decision-making, the better it will be for everyone.” This is the view of Richard Cook, Director – Economics, at Pegasus Group who has been appointed to the Board of the Institute of Economic Development (IED).

Richard, entering his 19th year in economic development and his sixth as an IED member, explained that he was motivated to help the sector evolve and thrive. “Economic development is an area I find extremely interesting but it is also one that is hard to define,” he said. “Whether it is Levelling Up, town centres/high streets, the role of LEPs going forward, devolution or planning, economic development is all around us. My ambition is for us to represent an even wider range of public and private sector organisations that help shape the direction of the IED and government agenda on economic development. This means influencing Levelling Up or any other flagship policies that are announced in the next few years and the agenda for the new local and sub-regional government structure.”

Richard outlined his view that the IED is “a serious thought leader for the area of economic development” and there is an opportunity to increase the breadth and depth of insight available to decision makers. “As a Board we need to ensure that the IED provides an evidence base to inform economic development decisions,” he revealed. “My expertise is in undertaking economic impact assessments and socio-economic analysis, and, whilst I am based in Manchester, I work all over the country so can contribute to that evidence base. We should also be thinking about intelligence that developers need, including issues such as how the housing offer can meet the needs of an older population.”

Pegasus Group is an independent consultancy specialising in planning, design, environment, economics, transport, infrastructure and heritage. The economics arm of the business helps organisations make the case for development, including residential, extra care and student accommodation schemes, and commercial development, and Richard told how the IED has supported him professionally. “The IED is the main national voice for economic development and it is important that we are members,” he said. “It is known, even by non-members, and carries a level of authority and respect. From a personal perspective, being part of the IED has been crucial for connecting with economic development professionals, public and private sector, including traditionally at the annual conference. It also brings people together effectively through online events and CPD programmes.”

Having previously worked at DTZ Investors as well as New Economy Manchester, now part of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, before joining Pegasus Group in 2016, Richard is an advocate of the role of public-private sector collaboration. “Private sector consultancies offer a level of independence to the economic development sphere and there is a lot they can bring to the table in terms of analysis and evidence-informed advice,” he said. “Yes, they have to follow their clients’ directive, but it is healthy for private sector consultancies to provide a level of critique to public sector organisations (on local plan consultations, for example), and also vice-versa.”

IED Executive Director Nigel Wilcock said: “Our vision is be the leading professional body for economic development professionals, helping them to create stronger communities and sustainable economies across the UK. Within that our core purpose is to support, develop and connect our members, represent and champion the profession, and influence and inform policy. This is a crucial time for economic development across the four nations and we want to draw on the knowledge, expertise and ideas from within our membership, public and private sector, to support our mission. We are therefore delighted to welcome Richard to our Board of Directors.”

News

Heritage duo launch new consultancy in the East Midlands

Two highly experienced heritage specialists have launched Irving Patrick Consulting in Lincoln – a consultancy for transformational heritage, conservation and church projects in the UK.

Co-founded by company directors Dr Anne Irving and the Revd. Canon John Patrick – who worked together for many years at Lincoln Cathedral – Irving Patrick Consulting will provide fundraising, project management, strategic planning, audience and stakeholder development, operational reviews and business planning.

On the company’s launch, John Patrick, said: “Anne and I are incredibly pleased to have formed Irving Patrick Consulting. We have a shared passion for this incredibly diverse and interesting sector, and have brought together our collective skills to offer important heritage projects support and guidance from the outset.

“With many community projects, organisations and churches hit particularly hard by the challenging events of the last twelve months, Anne and I felt it was the right time to form our new company. Our expertise and experience in heritage, conservation, fundraising and planning are incredibly valuable in helping vital projects get off the ground and achieve their aims.

“Launching a business is never easy – let alone during a global pandemic – so we are proud to have made such a positive start. We are looking forward to seeing this company grow, helping others and responding to the needs of individuals, organisations and communities.”

Dr Anne Irving continues: “It is a pleasure to now be working with John on our new venture. We believe our specialisms complement one another greatly and our joint experiences have taught us that heritage really does enrich people’s lives, and it’s vital that we work to better understand and care for it.

“It’s wonderful to be able to use my knowledge at Irving Patrick Consulting to provide a one-stop-shop for heritage sites, religious institutions and cultural organisations who require experienced leadership, support and guidance to enable their projects to flourish.”

With more than 15 years of specialist experience in the heritage sector, Dr Anne Irving began her education at Birmingham University; completing an undergraduate degree in Ancient and Medieval History, followed by a PhD in Archaeology at the University of Nottingham.

After joining Lincoln Cathedral as fund development manager in 2011, Anne soon took on the role of programme manager for the Cathedral’s Connected project – a National Lottery Heritage Fund-backed project to improve the Cathedral’s setting and visitor experience and conserve the iconic building. This included major works, significant specialist restoration and conservation work and auditing and protecting the Cathedral’s many artefacts and treasures.

John Patrick was ordained in Chester Cathedral in 1989 before moving to Lincolnshire to serve as a priest at various locations including Boston, Navenby and Sleaford. In 2012, he was appointed as Subdean of Lincoln Cathedral.

During his time at the Cathedral, John continued as a member (and became chairman) of Lincoln Diocesan Advisory Committee for the care of Church Buildings and has worked with local charities, councils and community organisations. Whilst in Sleaford John chaired the Master-Planning Committee for the market town, working alongside colleagues at North Kesteven District Council.

Following the launch of Irving Patrick Consulting, the company has already been appointed on a number of heritage projects in Lincolnshire, Birmingham, Yorkshire and Derbyshire; providing strategic planning, fundraising support and evaluation work.

Anne and John are also working with various groups looking to secure funding from the Arts Council England Culture Recovery Fund, navigating the application procedures and guiding them through the process.

News

Nation’s bells fall silent for the first time since WWII

For the first time since WWII, bells across the UK have largely fallen silent due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

With lockdown restrictions in place, it is the first time in 75 years that bell ringers have been unable to visit churches and cathedrals to do what they do best.

During the crisis, the Loughborough Bellfoundry Trust (LBT), which owns the last remaining specialist bellfoundry is looking to highlight the impact of bells on our daily lives and what they mean to us as a country.

Throughout history, bells have played a significant role in our lives by providing a soundtrack to many of the UK’s key historic moments and personal milestones. Day to day, many of us – religious or not – delight in the sound of chiming bells from our local bell towers, whether it be during weekly bell ringing practices, or the call to attend weekend church services.

With the world coming to a halt during the global pandemic, busy roads have become much quieter and bustling town centres eerily dormant. The chimes we usually hear marking the time of day have also largely stopped. The only bells that may still be heard are those which are still being sounded from buildings which have installed electrically wound clock mechanisms.

As the lockdown continues, the majority of clocks that are still hand wound have also been silenced with volunteer clock winders being denied access to wind the clocks.

The sound of church bells ringing is deeply embedded in British culture and the hearts and minds of its people, and bells have different meanings and purposes across the world. But no matter where you are – they are always there to inform us of something, to mark a beginning or an end.

Bells are also a sound of hope, freedom and peace and the only other time bells were silenced in British history was during WWII when it was agreed bells would only ring as a sign of invasion. However, the bells were then rung to announce the end of the war and to declare peace.

Andrew Wilby, trustee of the Loughborough Bellfoundry Trust, said: “This is such a monumental moment in history for many reasons, but also because this is the first time since WWII that bell ringing has been interrupted due to social restrictions.

“People have often sought peace in the sound of bells and in these unprecedented times, we are looking for symbols of normality. Once things begin to return to some semblance of normality, we urge people to appreciate bells and remember their historic significance and the fact that they are ringing for us.

“Bells are so very important globally and we must protect, respect and appreciate how much they mean to us in the UK and across the world. Myself and the team at the trust very much look forward to when we hear bells ringing once again.”

Situated in the heart of Loughborough, the Loughborough Bellfoundry, also known as the John Taylor Bellfoundry, is the last major bellfoundry in the UK, and more than 25,000 bells have been cast there since the present bellfoundry buildings were built in 1859.

The trust was set up to protect the future of bell making on the site, to ensure the last remaining bellfoundry in Britain will not be lost. The Loughborough Bellfoundry creates bells for thousands of buildings all around the world. Its bells can be heard around the UK and across the world, including Malta, Australia, the United States, South Africa and Singapore.

The National Lottery Heritage Fund recently awarded the Loughborough Bellfoundry Trust funds to work up a full application for the investment needed to repair and restore the Grade II* listed buildings. Whilst the business is in good fettle, the Victorian bellfoundry buildings are not, and without urgent repair works and a sustainable plan for the future, the bellfoundry could be lost forever.

To avoid the considerable loss of traditional craftsmanship and seismic impact on historic buildings around the world, the team behind the restoration project is seeking £1 million from members of the public and any organisation wishing to help secure the Bellfoundry’s future for generations to come. If you would like to donate to help protect Britain’s last major bellfoundry, please visit: www.loughboroughbellfoundry.org.

News

Facial reconstruction of excavated medieval priest at Lincoln Cathedral gives glimpse into the past

Archaeologists who unearthed a particularly rare medieval priestly burial earlier this year at Lincoln Cathedral have shared their findings and a facial reconstruction of the clergy member, enabling us to see what the priest looked like and giving us an insight into what life would have been like for him.

The priest’s burial was revealed by Lincoln-based Allen Archaeology Ltd during excavations – as part of the Lincoln Cathedral Connected project – to enable drainage works and landscaping around the cathedral, in the area that is now the building’s West Parvis.

Analysis of the skeleton has confirmed that the medieval priest was a male, and that he was approximately 169cm tall and died between the ages of 35 and 45 years old, but most likely in his late 30s.

Regarding the associated grave goods interred with him – a pewter chalice and paten which are key symbols of the work of a priest and used during communion – the report shows that these objects were plain in style, and similar examples have been dated back to as far as the 12th and 13th centuries.

Inverness-based forensic artist Hew Morrison, used Allen Archaeology’s findings and photographs of the skull, to build up a reconstruction of the priest’s face. The outcome looks like a real-life photo; enabling the people of Lincoln and Lincolnshire to come face to face with the medieval priest.

Forensic studies have shown that facial reconstruction techniques do not create an exact likeness, but a close representative image of a particular person that could be recognised by those who knew them. In this instance, without the availability of DNA testing, the colour of the hair and eyes etc. are conjectural, but the features of the priest’s skull – his close-set eyes and slightly asymmetrical chin – plus his estimated age at the time of death, are factual information that form the basis for facial reconstruction.

From the bone report, a number of interesting and unusual traits were found on the rest of the priest’s body. There was little sign in the skeleton that he had suffered from any disease or injury during his life, with the exception of a small lump resulting from deep tissue bruising and small deposits of mineralised dental plaque.

Hypoplasia (underdevelopment of tissue) which was seen in a neck vertebra, may have been associated with asymmetry of the blood vessels, but whilst this has been shown to increase predisposition to certain types of stroke, it is not possible to conclude that the priest had any associated symptoms.

The degeneration of the discs of his lower spine show that the priest was involved in some level of physical activity, and are within the changes that would be expected to have occurred with age. His remains suggest that he was apparently well nourished and had a relatively risk-free lifestyle.

The Revd Canon, John Patrick, Subdean of Lincoln, said: “These excavation findings are truly captivating and the historical insights we gain are testament to the rich history of the religious site. This burial was one of many significant objects discovered during renovation works and we look forward to being able to see many of these treasures in the new visitor centre.

“The whole cathedral team and I hope everyone is keeping well in these unprecedented times and we are eager to welcome people back to the cathedral once government lockdown measures are lifted.”

During this excavation, a host of other fascinating historic artefacts were unearthed which are currently being studied and dated. It is planned that some will be displayed as part of the new Lincoln Cathedral visitor centre, which is currently under construction due to complete later this year.

Senior manager at Allen Archaeology, Natasha Powers, said: “This burial is just one of the fascinating discoveries that our team has made during the Cathedral Connected project. We have revealed new evidence of Roman, Saxon, medieval, Tudor and Victorian activity within the site, and full analysis of the 50 or so burials that have been unearthed will provide us with a window into understanding the lives of the medieval population of Lincoln.”

The area between the West Front of the cathedral and the neighbouring Exchequergate Arch, is known to have been used as a burial ground for not only the cathedral but the church of St Mary Magdalene, in nearby Bailgate. Part of the area of the Dean’s Green was also used as a burial ground for the cathedral, as were the many green spaces surrounding it.

The National Lottery-funded Connected project includes the delivery of vital restoration and renovation works to the iconic Lincoln Cathedral which are due to complete in 2022. The works will provide news spaces for all to enjoy, including a new visitor centre, and will help to protect and safeguard the cathedral for generations to come.