St Nicholas Cathedral

Client

The Chapter of St Nicholas Cathedral

Architect/client representative

Purcell

Contract value

£3,715,369

The cathedral has been awarded £4.2m National Lottery Heritage funding for the Common Ground in Sacred Space project which will see the building re-established as a dynamic community hub and a key attraction in the city centre.

Historic Property Restoration Limited has been appointed as the construction contractor for the £3.7m restoration project which will include physical changes inside and out, including removal of the pews; installing underfloor heating; renewing the Nave floor to create a stunning open and flexible space. The outside site will be transformed by extensive landscaping to both the south and east churchyards. The basement beneath the cathedral hall will be converted into visitor facilities for staff, volunteers and visitors.

The project is expected to create 7 new jobs, 100 new volunteer opportunities and attract over 100,000 visitors to the cathedral each year.

The aim is for visitors to enjoy an art, architectural and heritage experience in the cathedral. There will be activities and an events programme for schools, families, community groups, and tourists both from the region and further afield.

For a recent update on our work at St Nicholas' Cathedral, why not follow this link: https://newcastlecathedral.org.uk/on-site-with-the-site-foreman/

The Dean and Chapter and its Fabric Advisory Committee is thrilled with the quality of work produced by HPR Ltd. The skills exhibited in stone masonry are particularly fine. Managers and staff have developed good relations with the client team – we couldn’t have asked for better attitude or commitment.

Lindy Gilliland Testimonial -

Lindy Gilliland - Newcastle Cathedral Project Manager

"From my personal perspective, this was one of the best projects I have been involved with over the last 35 years as a Chartered Building Surveyor, RIS Accredited in Building Conservation. My client role on this was a complete pleasure, because you and your team were first class, complementing the excellent professional design team. Well done!"

Richard Dunn -

PCC Project Co-ordinator, for St John the Baptist Church, Wilberfoss

"May I take this opportunity to thank you and your staff for your professional and unfailingly helpful conduct during this project. We particularly appreciate the efforts made to overcome the deficiencies and problems arising from the previous contractor."

Andrew Bodenham -

Blackett Ord Conservation

"HPR recognise, and allow for, the necessary archaeological recording to take place during consolidation work and the disruptions that this may cause to their planned programme of work comes as no surprise to them. This awareness means that their workforce is able to be pro-active in informing the archaeologist of any possible instances when recording may be necessary."

Mick Krupa -

NPHT Archaeologist at Nenthead Smeltmill

"Historic Property Restoration carried out the first phase of the refurbishment of the Grade II listed Town Hall. The company were extremely professional in their approach throughout the entire process as befits a company with extensive experience in the conservation and restoration sector."

David Lodge -

Greater Morpeth Development Trust

"Historic Property Restoration deliver good quality work to programme and budget on a regular basis. They are reliable and value for money."

Ian Merritt -

English Heritage Conservation and Maintenance Manager

Lindy Gilliland, the Project Manager for Newcastle Cathedral, had this to say: "The Dean and Chapter and its Fabric Advisory Committee is thrilled with the quality of work produced by HPR Ltd. The skills exhibited in stone masonry are particularly fine.

The task force has displayed respect to the ancient fabric of the building and dedication to the task in hand during particularly difficult times of COVID. The company showed great resolve in continuing on site and working through the procedures required to maintain a safe, COVID free site. Managers and staff have developed good relations with the client team – we couldn’t have asked for better attitude or commitment.

The remodelled nave, landscaping and visitor facilities now provide a flexible, fit for purpose community space as well as an enhanced place of worship which can rival any other city’s cathedral. This is a major civic building and a place which will re-open in July to welcome locals, tourists, schools and the vulnerable – all who will experience the warmth and care taken by HPR in transforming the building to make sacred space common ground."

The project was successfully concluded in July 2021, reopening to the public for use on August 12th.