In the latest project update for the Manchester town hall renovation, Manchester City Council admitted delays of up to two years were possible
The renovation of Manchester Town Hall has faced several unexpected issues as work on the Grade-I listed Victorian building continues.
A recent update on progress released by Manchester City Council said that “good progress” has been made, with the construction phase now 60% complete.
This covers mostly repairs, restoration and updating the safety standards of the building.
The statement also outlined the positive impact the renovation was having on local businesses, with more than 57% of spending with Manchester businesses (above a 40% baseline).
Around 250 jobs have been created, along with 147 apprenticeships.
Contractors Lendlease have asked for a cash injection
Lendlease has asked for £29m in immediate interim cash to complete some key works, before a revised full and final cost estimate can be produced for the city council.
The extra funding will see the project budget rise to an estimated £357m.
Hyperinflation and supply chain issues have been part of the delays on the Manchester town hall renovation project
Rising costs across the construction industry were blamed partially for project delays and increased spending, along with the heritage needs of the building.
The cast iron drainpipes and gutters on the roof of the Victorian building are in a state of extensive disrepair, and the update notes that “cast iron is currently a rare commodity with long lead-in times for deliveries which have contributed to delays.”
Deputy Council Leader Cllr Luthfur Rahman said: “The length and complexity of the project is such that it has been buffeted by some unprecedented challenges, the cost impacts of which are magnified because of the sheer scale involved.
“Nobody is pretending this has been easy but the end result will be something truly special, a source of pride and a remarkable asset for Manchester.”
The council warned that further delays were likely as new issues are revealed
“By the end of this year ongoing work to open up the Town Hall roof – with the scope for further discoveries being made about the condition of the building which may mean more extensive work than originally anticipated is required – will be far enough advanced to give much better certainty about final costs and timescales,” the statement continued.
“A request for whatever further additional funding is needed to complete the project will then be made in January 2024. This would also be funded through borrowing.”
You can read the full statement from Manchester City Council on the town hall renovation here.
