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Cathedral Visitor Centre

This £700,000 project involved the conversion of two Grade II Listed buildings, originally constructed in the 1700’s, into a visitors centre for Derby Cathedral, situated opposite the scheme. The buildings had been a former book shop which had been derelict for some time. The sensitive scheme took an existing historical building and brought it back to use.

The Midlands conversion scheme involved the formations of an education area, library, exhibition and meeting rooms, treasury displaying the cathedral’s historic objects, sensory garden, listening rooms, offices, coffee shop and gift shop.

As much as possible of the original fabric of the building was retained and disabled access fully incorporated. The project was completed in November 2003 and was officially opened by the Queen. In February 2004 the conversion scheme was awarded the honour of the Best Restoration Project by the Derby Civic Society with comments from the panel saying that the attention to detail was very good and the quality of work was excellent. Liz Walker of Anthony Short and Partners, Architects for the scheme, also commented at the time of the award that the contractors experience of working with listed buildings may have helped them in winning the tender.

The project was made more difficult by having to undertake the work within the confines of a busy high street environment.