Shepherd partners in £50m library deal

CONSTRUCTION firm Shepherd will take a leading role in the £50m redevelopment of a major city landmark.

The York-based company is a partner in a joint venture to overhaul Liverpool Central Library in a PFI contract signed today.

The 150-year-old library lies in Liverpool’s UNESCO world heritage site and will now undergo two years of renovations that will see the restoration of grade II listed parts of the building and alterations to areas constructed in the post-war era.

Shepherd Construction is joined by Amber Infrastructure, architects Austin-Smith: Lord and facilities management firm Cofely in the joint venture known as Inspire Partnership.

Mike Leto, Project Director from Amber Infrastructure, said: “We are delighted to have reached financial close having worked so hard to reach this point.

“We can now concentrate on finalising the construction programme and look forward to work starting in November. The development will deliver a fantastic new library and archive in partnership with the city of Liverpool.”

Renovation work will start in the autumn and the building is due to reopen at the end of 2012.

Have you signed up for our weekly property news email? Just click here.