Pandemic pushes back town hall’s reopening
Spiralling costs puts extra six months on completion date of iconic landmark
MANCHESTER town hall’s reopening has been delayed until 2024 due to mounting costs caused largely by the coronavirus pandemic.
Problems arising from nesting peregrine falcons in the building’s clock tower, and the discovery of asbestos and hazardous tar, have pushed construction costs up to £214million.
Works to pedestrianise Albert Square and transform it into ‘one of the finest civic spaces in Europe’ will also be pushed back.
The total cost of the Our Town Hall project to restore the Grade I-listed building is around £330m, including professional fees, contingency planning and staff relocation.
It was expected to be completed in December 2023 but a report to a meeting of Manchester council’s executive on Friday revealed that it would be delayed until May 2024.
This has caused the cost of construction to rise from the £208m last reported to the council in February this year.
Council bosses had also hoped to have Albert Square open in early October 2023 but it is expected to be ready later in the month.
Coun Nigel Murphy, deputy leader of Manchester council, said: “The Our Town Hall project brings a huge amount of social value to the city, giving valuable experience especially in these uncertain times, to local residents.
“It also gives the construction industry the clear indication that Manchester is open and is willing to commit to projects like this which will bring benefits not just to them and local employers, but also to future generations of Manchester.”
The project is also a major source of employment and work experience, with 1,579 jobs and 561 jobs secured in Manchester last year.
But the impact of Covid-19 has led to high levels of construction inflation within Manchester and, while work on the town hall has continued, negotiations with contractor Lendlease were held up.
Several issues impacting the cost and timetable of the project were also discovered, including nesting peregrine falcons, asbestos in the kitchen link bridge and hazardous coal tar beneath the courtyard.
This has led to extra capital costs of £3.9m, while the council is also preparing for an additional £2.7m to pay for the cost of moving staff to the town hall extension.