Harrogate International Centre

On the day that news emerged the Prince of Wales is to pay a visit to the Royal Hall, Harrogate Borough Council announced that it is to enter into contract with large national contractor HBG to proceed with an extensive range of structural restoration works on the Royal Hall. 

 

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Mike Gardner, said:  "This is an important landmark in the progress of the scheme.  Although HBG have been on site for some time undertaking preliminary works, I am pleased we both can now proceed in a full and comprehensive manner to complete the contract works."

Roger Mansell, Regional Director of HBG Construction Ltd said:  "We are extremely proud to be involved in the such a prestigious project which continues our involvement in the restoration of listed buildings.  We look forward to restoring this magnificent building to its former glory."

 

In addition to the £8million allocated to the core scheme, (£2million from Harrogate Borough Council and £6million from the Heritage Lottery Fund) the Royal Hall Restoration Trust is also raising funds to make the Royal Hall an attractive and inspiring performance venue once again.  To achieve this, the Trust's target is to raise an additional £1.8 million to reinstate a number of important works that are currently omitted from the core programme on funding grounds.

 

HLF's substantial grant, along with Harrogate Borough Council's contribution, will allow the rescue of this building, which has been unused for some time.  However, there will still remain a funding challenge to ensure that the full use of the building is achieved enabling it to be enjoyed by everyone.  The Upper Circle and decorations in the main auditorium will still require additional funds to be raised.

 

Carole Souter, Director of the Heritage Lottery Fund, said:  "The Royal Hall in Harrogate is one of the town's favourite landmarks.  The Frank Matcham building is steeped in history as well as being an important community resource.  I am extremely pleased that, through working closely with Harrogate Borough Council, the Heritage Lottery Fund was able to award a grant of £6million to refurbish and modernise the Hall.  The finalised plans will serve to protect this wonderful historic building whilst enabling it to reopen to the public."

 

Fund raising for the project by the Restoration Trust continues apace, and the impending royal visit, at the invitation of the Trust, is expected to provide an invaluable boost to the Trust's efforts.  Prince Charles, Patron of the Trust, will visit the Royal Hall next week and see for himself how work is progressing in the restoration of this unique Grade II* listed building.

 

The £400,000 raised so far by the Trust has come mainly from local benefactors and Trust Chairman Lilian Mina is delighted by the response the Trust has received so far.  She said:  "Since the restoration project was finally confirmed in April last year, the Trust has seen a tremendous move forward in the success of its fund-raising effort.  There is a very exciting sense of progress in what we are trying to achieve, and my fellow trustees and I are working as hard as we can to raise as much as possible over the next 15 months.  I am just overwhelmed at the amount of support the Trust is receiving from all quarters and we shall make every effort to make this phase of the restoration as comprehensive as possible.  Onwards and upwards!"

 

The ambition of all those involved in the Royal Hall is to ensure that this unique Kursaal is made available for the maximum possible use for performances and events.  This phase of the restoration will form the basis for future enhancement works to ensure that this historic building is restored to its original magnificence.  The Royal Hall is expected to come back to use in the autumn of 2007. 

 

Ends

 

NOTE FOR EDITORS : A schedule of definite, likely, and improbable works is attached to this release.

The Heritage Lottery Fund enables communities to celebrate, look after and learn more about our diverse heritage.  From our great museums and historic buildings to local parks and beauty spots or recording and celebrating traditions, customs and history, HLF grants open up our nation's heritage for everyone to enjoy. They have supported more than 18,000 projects, allocating over £3.3billion across the UK.  Website: www.hlf.org.uk.

For further information on the HLF, please contact Katie Owen at the HLF press office on tel: 020 7591 6036 mobile: 07973 613820.