Tilbury Douglas appointed by Wigan Council for Haigh Hall restoration pre-construction phase

Wigan Council has appointed Tilbury Douglas to lead the restoration of Haigh Hall, with the contractor initially working through a pre-construction phase on detailed plans for the listed building and its surroundings, the company said on 9 October.

Tilbury Douglas said the first stage covers the internal restoration of the hall, which it describes as Grade II* listed, together with associated landscaping, car park improvements and a new energy centre.

During pre-construction the project team will develop the design and programme, carry out further surveys and planning, and consider the construction approach for the historic building before the main restoration works begin, the company said. No contract value was disclosed and the announcement covers only the pre-construction stage.

Kabir Salihi, Regional Director – North West at Tilbury Douglas, said: "We are proud to be working with Wigan Council on the next stage of the transformation of Haigh Hall."

The funding

The project is backed by government money. According to a case study published on GOV.UK, Wigan was awarded £20m from the Levelling Up Fund to restore the hall.

The same case study said the plans include a gallery to display £200m of artworks from the Major family estate. It described Haigh Hall and its 250-acre woodland as having been at the heart of Wigan for 900 years.

Councillor David Molyneux MBE, Leader of Wigan Council, said in the GOV.UK case study: "We are delighted to have received the full amount of £20 million for our Wigan bid, with Haigh Hall as its focal point."

Local benefits

Tilbury Douglas said it intended the scheme to deliver more than the physical restoration. Salihi said the company was committed to the project "creating opportunities for local people, developing skills and supporting businesses as work progresses".

The contractor describes itself as a building, infrastructure, engineering and fit-out business with over 140 years of experience, and as a trusted partner of central and local government.

What happens next

Tilbury Douglas will work alongside the Haigh team and its specialist design team through the pre-construction phase. The surveys, design development and construction planning carried out in that stage will precede the main restoration works on the hall, its landscaping, car park and energy centre.