Additional £95m expense for town hall renovation deemed a 'catastrophe'

The refurbishment of Manchester Town Hall has encountered significant setbacks, with escalating expenses described as a major "project management failure." An additional 95 million is now required to complete the restoration of the historic Victorian building, with work projected to continue for at least another six months.

The total cost of reviving the neo-Gothic landmark has risen to 525 million, and officials aim for a reopening in early 2027.

Councillor Richard Kilpatrick characterized the situation as "a project management disaster," noting that the budget has surged from 305 million to 500 million. He highlighted the challenges of repeatedly adjusting the budget, saying such increases create a difficult position for decision-makers.

This request for additional funding marks the second occasion in just over a year that councillors have been asked to approve more money, following a 76 million increase granted last autumn. Kilpatrick reflected on the tendency to approve multiple budget expansions, questioning whether it is a cultural norm to repeatedly raise project costs.

Labours deputy leader, Garry Bridge, acknowledged the difficulty of the situation, emphasizing that although seeking extra funds is not ideal, it is necessary due to broader economic pressures, including the pandemic and the conflict in Europe.

The proposed additional 95 million is expected to receive approval from the council's executive committee on 10 December.

Author: Maya Henderson