Hereford museum plan 'likely to be revised' as costs rise

A new progress report from its main backer Herefordshire Council calls redevelopment of the prominent listed building in the city’s Broad Street “a key priority”. But it says “cost consultants” have now put the total cost of the project at £21.8 million, while the current budget for it is £19.23 million.

It puts the increase down to the discovery of “limpet” (spray-on) asbestos in the building, higher scaffolding costs, greater preliminary costs and the need for a new electrical substation, “due to insufficient network capacity in the city”.

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It says costs “can be reduced through working with a contractor”, but warns the project will only progress beyond the design stage if it is “deliverable and within the approved budget”.

The project has already secured £10.83 million from the government, national lottery and most recently, Arts Council England, on top of £8.4 million approved from the council’s own coffers, while further funding bids from other sources “are also being explored”, the council said.

The museum and gallery building is currently closed as it is readied for redevelopment (Image: LDRS)

The council’s cabinet member for assets Coun Harry Bramer said: “We won’t get final costs until we work through the detailed elements of the design with a construction partner, which is the next phase of the project.

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“At the final design stage it is likely that we will revise where and how the available budget is spent, as we look to get the best value for money while being committed to providing an outstanding cultural attraction.”

He added: “We are making progress on attracting further funding to the project.”

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The council has meanwhile announced it is seeking to commission “a principle [sic] contractor to undertake the design, build and handover” of the project.

So far it has simply requested information “to establish whether there are any organisations that are interested in a tender for the appointment”.

“We are looking to appoint a contractor during January 2025 with an approx. 12-week period for design and early works,” before construction proper can begin – which is due to take 83 weeks or just over a year and a half, the council said.