A new contractor has been appointed to complete the redevelopment of the famous North Western Hall, with a completion date now set for 2022.
Deansgate Contractors Ltd has been appointed to finish work on the iconic building next to Liverpool Lime Street station after the previous contractor Marcus Worthington and Company fell into administration back in October 2019.
It means the multimillion-pound redevelopment, which originally had a completion date of 2020, is now on course to complete in March next year.
The developer behind the major overhaul, which will result in a 201-bed hotel with restaurant, bar and conference facilities, is North Western Hall Investments Ltd.
It was announced on Wednesday that alongside Deansgate Contractors, Silverstone Building Consultancy has been appointed to oversee the project, on behalf of Fairfield Real Estate Finance.
Ben Rennocks, director at Silverstone Building Consultancy, said: “Both Fairfield Real Estate Finance and North Western Hall Investments Limited deserve huge credit for their fortitude and drive to progress this development through the current pandemic.
"The refurbishment will improve Liverpool city centre as you arrive via train, and will breathe life into this classic building that has been vacant for some time.
"Subject to Government easing of restrictions it will also generate much needed jobs and income for the local economy in the longer term."
Grade II-listed North Western Hall was built in the 1870s as a hotel and is one of a group of stunning buildings around St George's Plateau.
It was one of a number of grand railway hotels built around the UK in the Victorian era, including the Midland Grand Hotel at St Pancras, London.
But it closed as a hotel in the 1930s and was left empty for years. In 1996, it was brought back to life when it was converted into student accommodation.
In 2018, Marcus Worthington announced it wanted to turn it back into a hotel. And later in the year it was confirmed that hotel chain Radisson would open a “contemporary and playful” RED Hotel inside the building.
In October 2019, Marcus Worthington and Company fell into administration, although the firm said work would continue on North Western Halls. On Wednesday, Silverstone confirmed Marcus Worthington is no longer involved in the project.
The hotel operator will lease the building upon completion in March next year.
