Guildhall restoration will commence next month

A spokesperson for Derry City Council explained that Council has approved the commencement of phase 1 of works to the external fabric works of the Guildhall.

The main contractor and consultants for site supervision of the project have been appointed and works are expected to commence in August.

The Guildhall Restoration is part of the Walled City Signature Project. The building was identified as one of six important historical buildings alongside First Derry Presbyterian Church, St Columb's Cathedral, the Playhouse, the Apprentice Boys' Memorial Hall and Long Tower Church, deserving refurbishment.

The main contractor for the project is H&J Martin. Stone Conservation Services will act as stone specialist; RPS will act as structural engineer and Delap and Waller will act as mechanical and electrical engineer.

Consarc Conservation - a specialist team of historic building conservation architects who work throughout Ireland - is acting as architect and quantity surveyor.

Its recent projects include St George`s Market (Belfast), St Patrick`s Schools (Donegall Street, Belfast), McHugh`s Bar (Queen`s Square, Belfast) and Parliament Buildings (Stormont).

The Guildhall Restoration will include repairs to external stone work, roof structure, slating, flashings and stained glass windows, repairs to the clock tower, rainwater goods and lightning protection.

The refurbishment is being funded by Derry City Council, the Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA).