TYWI GATEWAY PROJECT Contract 2) Restoration and Conversion of Old Bishop’s Palace Outbuildings

Tender description

This invitation to tender sets out the requirements for tender and the appointment of a Contractor at the Bishop’s Park, Old Bishop’s Palace, Abergwili, Carmarthenshire, SA31 2JG (NGR SN441209) for the Restoration and Conversion of the Old Bishop’s Palace Outbuildings and is prepared by the Tywi Gateway Trust (the Client) in association with Acanthus Holden Architects. The works in this contract will specifically address:- a) The restoration and conversion of the Old Bishop’s Palace mid 19th century outbuildings as an interpretation and learning centre with café and toilets. b) The creation of a “Winter Garden” through glazing over the open courtyard around which the Old Bishop’s Palace outbuildings are arranged. Situated in the settlement of Abergwili, immediately to the east of Carmarthen, the Bishop’s Park lies directly to the south of the A40 trunk road and comprises part of the original grounds of the Old Palace of the Bishops of St Davids. On the site of a college established by Bishop Beck in the 1280s the Bishop’s Palace was the episcopal residence from the 16th century through to its vacation by the Bishops in 1974. The Old Palace and the formal gardens were bought by Carmarthenshire County Council to house the County museum and the grounds were opened as a public park. Originally built between 1829 and 1840 the Old Bishop’s Palace outbuildings appear to have been altered in the early 20th century following a major fire in 1903 and again following their purchase by Carmarthenshire County Council in the 1970s. The outbuildings form a defined part of the listed grade II Carmarthenshire County Museum (formerly Bishop’s Palace) and are currently in a dilapidated state having been used by the museum for general storage. The outbuildings proposed for restoration include c.200m2 of interior space with the proposed glazed courtyard including a further c.97m2. Once completed the buildings will comprise a reception area, multi-purpose learning and interpretation space, toilets, office, kitchen, multi-purpose Winter Garden (to be used as dining/seating area for the café), volunteer room and storage area, external terrace and wheelchair ramp. Further details of the tender invitation are provided in the document "The Tywi Gateway Project contract 2- Restoration and conversion of Old Bishop's Palace outbuildings" available for download on this site. Please note that the detailed tender package will be available by e-mail (e-download will be sent) from Louise Austin on request. Email- louiseaustin@tywigateway.org.uk