Laing O’Rourke wins £90m Town Hall refurb deal

CONSTRUCTION firm Laing O’Rourke has won the £90m contract to refurbish the Town Hall Extension, Central Library and St Peter’s Square.

The project will see the Grade II*-listed features of both the library and the town hall extensions being refurbished, but a new customer service centre being introduce and for the buildings to be made more energy-efficient.

Councillor Bernard Priest, executive member for finance and human resources, said: “The importance of this project to Manchester residents cannot be overstated. It is firmly focused on providing them with better services while giving them a world-class civic complex which they can be proud of for years to come.”

Dartford-based Laing O’Rourke, whose Northern office is in Hulme, has said that it will aim to ensure that at least a fifth of the jobs to be created during the construction phase will also go to Manchester residents.

“We are extremely proud to have been chosen to transform the jewels in Manchester’s crown,” said project director Harold Rostron.

“Community and regeneration are central to our approach, and we understand that this is more important now than ever. It is an opportunity to ensure Manchester people benefit from learning, skills-development and employment.”

The £90m contract is expected to last for three years.