A new update from Manchester Council’s Our Town Hall project sets out the path to its completion in spring 2027
The project is the largest and most complex heritage project undertaken in living memory anywhere in the UK.
The Grade I-listed Manchester Town Hall – considered one of the nation’s finest and most architecturally-important civic buildings – is being repaired, restored and refurbished to safeguard it for future generations and improve public access to its incredible interior and artefacts.
Albert Square which is being used for this year’s Xmas Markets is being enlarged 25 per cent by its pedestrianisation on three sides, is also being transformed into a word class events space as part of the project.
The project completion has now been set for spring 2027. This is later than the previous estimated date, but with more certainty. To overcome the final obstacles, a budget increase of £95 million will be required, taking the overall project budget to £524.8 million. As well as existing costs, the increased budget includes a substantial to contingency to support a spring 2027 completion. The Council’s Executive will be asked to approve this increase, which will be funded by borrowing and not impact directly on services, when it meets on 10 December.
The project says the council, has been impacted by a unique combination of challenges since its construction phase started in 2020.
Wider factors have ranged from disruption caused by the Covid pandemic and a volatile economic climate, influenced by external factors such as the war in Ukraine, to unprecedented materials and labour cost inflation in the construction industry.
More directly project-related factors include a shortage of specialist labour capacity in the supply chain, issues with the supply of materials (which under strict heritage rules need to closely match those used in the original construction) and ongoing discovery of further construction challenges, all of which unavoidably cause delays and associated costs.
These challenges range from minor obstructions and quirks from the original Victorian build all the way through to structural issues which require design solutions before work can continue.
The project has taken place as the wider construction industry is experiencing a steep rise in the number of companies falling into administration. Three of the contractors delivering works packages as part of the project have gone into administration in the last six months alone.
Most of the external work complete and the focus of the project is moving to the Town Hall’s interior. The removal this year of parts of the exterior scaffolding and the huge temporary roof (which had been keeping the building watertight while roofing works were carried out) have given a tantalising glimpse of the beautiful condition in which the iconic building will be returned to Manchester.
Sourcing the required materials is also difficult. As an example, this summer the project’s principal stone contractor advised that the quarry from which approved stone (closely matching that used in the original construction) was ceasing to supply the construction industry in bulk. This has caused delay as an alternative source of suitable stone is found.
When it reopens it will include a new, free public attraction The Town Hall Story which will bring alive the building’s fascinating history and role in city life.
