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Harris Museum and Art Gallery’s major restoration project will complete in the Spring – despite rapidly rising costs and ‘surprises’ found during the construction work.
A report – seen by Blog Preston – was sent to councillors in May this year warning of the dual impact of asbestos works and the impact of inflation on the Harris ‘Your Place’.
Costing £16.2million the refit was due to be complete in the late part of 2024 but was put back due to the additional works uncovered during the work inside and outside the grade-I building.
Read more: Two years on from Harris closure, how does it look inside?
In October last year when it was reported about the extended timescale there was ‘no increased cost’ according to the city council.
The project, costed at £10.7m in 2021, has already risen to £16.2m.
Blog Preston understands there will be a further seven-figure sum added to this to get the project over the line and the building back open in the heart of Preston’s city centre during Spring 2025.
No exact date has been given for when the Harris will return to public use, the building closed to the public in May 2022 for the restoration works to begin with the library moving into the Guild Hall before this date.
Chairman of Conlon Construction, Michael Conlon, whose firm has overseen the works, said: “As with any heritage building, especially one as old as The Harris, surprises are part of the journey. As each challenge or anomaly has arisen, and in partnership with everyone involved, we have worked meticulously to find appropriate solutions. The shared aim for all of us is to preserve The Harris for future generations. There is no comparison between a renovation of this nature and a new build development. We have to be methodical and put our heritage expertise, plus the exceptional skills of our supply chain partners, to full use.
“The ‘Harris Your Place’ project is not just a restoration, it’s about enhancing this jewel in the city’s crown. Getting the building ready for another century and beyond. Our head office is just a few miles from The Harris and our local supply chain employs hundreds of local people. We’re proudly delivering significant community wealth building benefits and creating numerous apprentice opportunities, ensuring The Harris project impacts socially as well as economically.”
Read more: How the Harris Museum’s ancient Greek figures were cleaned
The report – seen by Blog Preston but restricted from the public at a full council meeting in May ‘due to commercial reasons’ – outlined the extent of the additional works needed because of asbestos as well as other cost pressures on the project.
The continued above-budgeted inflation rates during 2022 and into 2023 have also contributed to the funding gap – with the likes of Insurance Times reporting how heritage-restoration projects are more prone to inflationary rises due to the specialist nature of materials needed.
A spokesperson from Preston City Council told Blog Preston: “The Harris, which celebrated its 130th birthday in October last year required a complex programme of specialised works for a transformation that will enable the building to shine again in all its glory, whilst meeting the needs of our communities and visitors.
“Any Heritage regeneration programme of this scale will always unearth some surprises along the way that impact both timeframes and costs. Throughout the project we have sought to mitigate the risk and continue to monitor progress with the programme remaining on target for a reopening in 2025.”
Read more: Preston Youth Zone to be called ‘Vault’ as city’s young people put spades in the ground
The National Heritage Lottery Fund, who are one of the major backers of the Harris project, is understood to be continuing to support the project.
Helen Featherstone, Director, England, North at The National Lottery Heritage told Blog Preston: “We know that once works get underway, unforeseen challenges can sometimes arise during restoration projects and costs therefore can increase.
“We are proud to continue to support the #HarrisYourPlace project and confident that once completed it will provide a sustainable home for their collections, ensuring they are preserved and made accessible for local communities and visitors to learn more about Preston’s rich heritage.”
The Harris project is due to appear before the city council’s ‘audit committee’ in the coming months.
The re-opening of the Harris, alongside completion of the Animate cinema complex by the markets, which is also running behind its initial schedule, coupled with the partial re-opening of the Guild Hall is seen as key to Preston city centre’s revival – the Harris attracts more than 300,000 visitors per year.
Around £120million of investment and projects are taking place in and around the ‘Harris Quarter’ at present, with 2025 seen as a crucial year for the redevelopment of Preston.
What’s happening to the Harris?
Approved in 2021 – the proposals for the Harris had been in the making for more than five years before that – with extensive proposals showing a re-shaping of the interior of the building.
A new-look rotunda, expanded children’s area, a ‘lighter brighter’ gallery spaces, expanded café and library, are all part of the new-look Harris when it opens. An extensive studio area is being planned too.
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