Stokesay Castle Gatehouse & Cottage CIP Project

Tender description

Stokesay Castle in Shropshire is a 13th century fortified manor house, located just outside the busy and popular towns of Ludlow and Craven Arms. It is visited by approximately 40,000 people per annum and this project aims to improve both its commercial performance and the visitor experience. This project has two parts: 1) Stokesay Cottage: The conversion of the newly acquired cottage, adjacent to the castle car park, into a new tea room with an outdoor play area and first floor residential accommodation suitable for letting. 2) Gatehouse: The conversion of the 17th century Gatehouse for use as a holiday cottage. There will be a single contract for the two conversion works, which will be carried out simultaneously. The contract period is expected to be in the region of 26 weeks, starting early in January 2017. However, there will be an earlier sectional completion for the Gatehouse works. The Gatehouse is a Scheduled Ancient Monument and consent is currently being sought for the conversion works from Historic England. The work comprises careful conservation repairs and conversion works to upgrade the accommodation for holiday cottage use. This will include the installation of a new kitchen and bathroom, the renewal of some of the M&E services and drainage and complete internal redecoration. The work will need to be carried out to the highest standard, befitting its heritage status. Stokesay Cottage is in a dilapidated condition and requires significant internal and external repairs and alterations to convert it to its new uses. Although the cottage is not listed, its historic character as a former estate cottage is valued and therefore, the work needs to be carried out in a sensitive and careful manner. The work includes the complete renewal of M&E services, together with builders work required for the installation of the tea room servery counter and catering equipment, which will be installed by specialist catering sub-contractors at the end of the contract. The drainage requires replacement and the installation of a new sewage treatment plant. The work also includes the re- landscaping of areas around the cottage to create external seating areas and a play area. Both conversion works will require the careful coordination of sub-contractors and an awareness of working in an historic environment that is open to visitors.