Chorley picks contractor for town hall decarbonisation

Contractor Krol Corlett has been appointed by the local authority to deliver a £1.6m programme of works and planned preventative maintenance at the historic civic building.

The 50-week contract, won under competitive tender through the Rise framework, will see numerous interventions to preserve the Italianate building’s fabric.

This will include repointing and remedial work to the external stonework, window replacement and repairs to the clocktower all form part of the package.

The decarbonisation work focuses on an overhaul of the mechanical heating system, replacing gas-fired boilers with air source heat pumps, along with upgrades to the building’s wider electrical systems.

Also working on the project are architect and project manager Cre8, structural engineer Marston & Grundy and building services firm ECS Consultants.

Craig Ward, regional manager at Krol Corlett, said: “This is a refresh for a much-loved building in Chorley that will ensure it continues to express the towns’ confidence and quality for many years to come.

“We specialise in the restoration of heritage buildings, so it’s in good hands. We have a team of time-served and skilled craftsmen on the job, and they consider it a privilege to work on such a lovely building.”

Located on Market Street, the town hall was designed by John Ladds and William Henry Powell and opened in 1879.

The building’s principal space is a large assembly hall known as the Lancastrian Room – the works include the recovery and insulation of this room’s roof. The basement was used as a nuclear bomb shelter and civic control room during the Cold War.