Plymouth Guildhall getting £500k upgrade as major overhaul continues

Plymouth Guildhall's ageing electrics and alarms are getting a near-£500,000 upgrade as a major overhaul of the city landmark continues. Plymouth City Council has agreed to borrow the cash needed to improve the essential systems while the building remains closed for refurbishment.

Contractors are already on site adding features including acoustic curtains in the Great Hall, acoustic panels from the ceiling to improve the sound quality, refurbished toilets and roof trusses strengthened to enable higher spec lighting to be used. The project is designed to bring the Grade II listed building right up to date for entertainment events, gigs, conferences, training and weddings.

The council says further surveys identified that some of the electrical and alarm systems infrastructure is nearing the end of its serviceable life. A decision was due to be signed off on Friday (November 22) to enable the council to borrow up to £491,000 for a package of "additional but vital work" to make sure the electrical circuits across the entire building are compliant with current safety regulations.

The extra funding will also cover an upgrade of the fire and intruder systems which will take place at the same time as the current systems are outdated and replacement parts difficult to find. The passenger lifts will also be refurbished.

The council says an element of electrical upgrades had been included in the initial scope of the refurbishment, but the poor condition of the existing services had not been fully appreciated at the time the bid was put together several years ago. Further investigations through the course of the project have since identified additional works that need to be completed, it added.

Councillor Chris Penberthy, cabinet member with responsibility for assets said: “It makes sense to do this extra work now. Some of the wiring was rather old – 70 years – and while still functioning, we may as well sort this now rather than wait until the refurbishment is finished.”

The refurbishment package now underway was funded by the Future High Streets Fund, a government initiative designed to support ventures that encourage people back in city centres. While the upgrade to the electrics and alarm systems can run alongside the refurbishment it has to be funded separately.

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