English Heritage - Brodsworth Hall

In order to enhance the visitor experience and maximise revenue, English Heritage wanted to replace its existing Brodsworth Hall visitor centre with a more up-to-date facility which would also feature a gift shop.

Following a competitive tender process, J Tomlinson was appointed as the main contractor to undertake the project.

It was critical the new visitor centre was completed by the end of March 2014, in good time for the new tourist season and to enable English Heritage to secure Government funding for the project.

J Tomlinson worked closely with the client and their design team to ensure the project was completed both on time and on budget. The work undertaken by J Tomlinson included the demolition of the existing ticket office, as well as constructing the new building.

To assist the client in the managing energy efficiency of the building, J Tomlinson fitted air source heat pumps, ‘soak aways’, and LED light fittings - which were installed by the company’s in-house M&E team.

To ensure the centre was in keeping with its picturesque, historic surroundings, we utilised traditional building techniques such as random diminishing slate roofs, York stone walling in lime mortar and cedar cladding.

The visitor centre was completed in good time for the tourist season with an official opening ceremony undertaken by Mark Pemberton, English Heritage Director of National Projects, on Thursday 3rd April 2014. The project represents a joint approach by J Tomlinson’s Construction and M&E teams.

J Tomlinson successfully executed a construction with a highly complex building design, constructed from high quality materials throughout.

We effectively built positive relations and a working in partnership with English Heritage and the design team.

Commendation from the client - Alastair Godfrey, Project Manager, English Heritage commented, “This was a high profile project working within the historic estate of Brodsworth Hall and needed to be completed within the winter period, a short six months. Additionally the building design was highly complex, constructed from high quality materials throughout. J Tomlinson provided an excellent, first class service throughout the entire pre and post contract period, their approach was consistently one of building positive relations and working in partnership with English Heritage and the design team, they were extremely proactive in problem solving, regularly offering solutions.

The final completion date was achieved and the building was opened on time and within budget, the quality of the workmanship was commendably high with few outstanding snagging items. I very much look forward to working with J Tomlinson again on future projects.”

The building was opened on time and within budget, allowing the client to effectively utilise government funding and also maximise on revenue generated by the shop within the centre.

Sympathetic and exacting standards required were met, guaranteeing that the new visitor centre complimented its beautiful and historic surroundings.