Up to 80 sub-contracts are anticipated to be given out by the winning main contractor

Manchester Town Hall

Manchester City council has launched its search for a contractor to carry out the £328m restoration of the city’s grade I-listed Town Hall.

The £190m project is expected to last more than four years and the council expects up to 80 sub-contracts ranging from £10,000 to £10m to be procured by the chosen main contractor.

The works to repair the building, which were designed by Alfred Waterhouse in the 1860s, are expected to include surveys and enabling works, external envelope, internal design and fit out and public realm.

The council is holding a launch event on 28 February at the Town Hall and expects a shortlist of up to five bidders for the project.

The wider project team includes Mace as project manager; Faithful+Gould as the QS; Ramboll, which is providing structural and civil engineering services, and heritage architect Purcell.

Arup has been also appointed as the building services and engineering contractor, while Planit IE will work on the landscape design.

Manchester Town Hall entrance Hall