TC1086 - Framework for Heritage Furniture Restoration in relation to the Our Town Hall Project

Tender description

Manchester City Council has embarked on an ambitious refurbishment and restoration scheme (the Our Town Hall Project) to revive the crown jewel of the City, Manchester Town Hall. As part of the plans for the refurbished Town Hall, we will be opening the building up to more visitors, to explore the architecture and history of the building and share in the story of the Town Hall. We are now looking to appoint high quality furniture Conservators and Restorers onto a specialist Heritage Furniture Restoration Framework to work on various items from the Town Hall Collection. The furniture collection consists of many original items designed by the building’s Architect, Alfred Waterhouse alongside other Victorian era furniture and some more modern additions. Much of the original furniture has been in use since the building opened in 1877 and is in varying states of repair. In order to bring the furniture back into use we will be establishing a framework consisting of two Lots: Furniture Restoration without Upholstery and Furniture Restoration with Upholstery and the framework is set to run from early Summer 2022 to early 2024. Lot 1: Furniture Restoration without upholstery Furniture will be in regular use, so must be structurally sound and aesthetically cohesive. Furniture will be in highly significant front-of-house spaces so the finish must be in keeping with the historic environment. Lot 2: Furniture Restoration with upholstery Seat furniture will be in regular use so must be structurally sound and in robust, usable condition. Seat furniture will be in highly significant front-of-house spaces so the finish must be in keeping with the historic environment.