Design and fitout of a reception desk and shop for a new historic courthouse museum

Tender description

A specialist museum shop designer and supplier is sought to produce the design and fitout of a reception desk and shop for a new historic courthouse museum in a listed building in the historic town centre of Dorchester. Contact rdilke@dorset.gov.uk 01305 252 226 to receive the ITQ and accompanying information and contract. Bids back by 13th March 12pm midday to rdilke@dorset.gov.uk Contract is West Dorset District Council's Standard Ts & Cs. Shire Hall, High West Street, Dorchester is a Grade 1 Listed building constructed between 1796 and 1800. It contains the courtroom in which the Tolpuddle Martyrs were tried in 1834 & is a major monument to labour history of national if not of international importance. Thomas Hardy became a magistrate in 1894 and it is understood that he sat in the Court where the events became the inspiration for some of his writing. The Shire Hall Project aims to provide an inspirational learning facility and visitor attraction in Dorchester of international importance by restoring and bringing into public access the Old Crown Court and Cells and other parts of the Shire Hall building. This is a project of major significance, which has been a long held ambition of authorities in Dorset, the local community and interested organisations such as the TUC. Part of this restoration is going to incorporate a shop and café which will be open for visitors to the attraction and general public passing by.