Salford builders begin £3.9m restoration project at Lancaster Castle

Building firm MC Construction has started work on a multi-million pound restoration project at Lancaster Castle.

The Salford-based company was appointed by the Duchy of Lancaster as the main contractor for the £3.9m scheme, which involves a programme of repair and conservation works.

MC Construction worked on an earlier phase that involved repairs and remedial works to the roofs, windows and stoneworks of the buildings facing the Castle’s courtyard.

This second phase will open the site’s former prison kitchen yard and reveal more of its historic buildings to the public, including the King’s Evidence Tower, Well Tower, Male Felons Tower and space once used as a prison hospital.

MC Construction will also relocate the existing Visitors Centre and build a new catering and hospitality suite, shop and ticket office.

Externally, the firm will lower and re-cap the perimeter wall.

Graeme Chalk, head of project management for the Duchy of Lancaster, which resumed ownership of the site in 2011, said: “We have always said that our two key priorities at Lancaster Castle are protecting the historic fabric of the buildings and opening up as much of the Castle as possible to the visiting public.

“Phase two will deliver that, bringing several historic buildings back into use and unveiling areas that have remained unseen for many years.”

He continued: “We are pleased to be working with MC Construction again and believe that the team will deliver this next phase in our vision for the future to the required quality standard and with minimal disruption to local residents and visitors.”

David Lowe, managing director at MC Construction, commented: “We are delighted to be appointed for this second phase of the Castle’s restoration.

“We have extensive experience of working on heritage projects and we are thrilled to be involved as the main contractor for such a prestigious client yet again.”

Architecture practice BDP designed the scheme, which is due for completion in June 2019. Appleyard & Trew is the appointed quantity surveyor.