Guildhall revamp 'is way behind schedule'

MULTI-MILLION POUND UPGRADE 'LIKELY TO GO OVER BUDGET'

- By WILLIAM TELFORD

THE multi-million pound refurbishment of Plymouth's historic Guildhall is way behind schedule and likely to go over budget with no word on when it will be complete.

The work was supposed to be finished this summer but it was so late University of Plymouth graduation ceremonies scheduled for the building had to be postponed until last month and moved to Theatre Royal Plymouth. Other bookings have been postponed or moved altogether, with Plymouth City Council issuing an apology. It is the latest council venture to run over budget and/or be late following such high-profile schemes as the Old Town Street/New George Street upgrade and the Central Park Ponds project.

The council has not given details of what is causing the problem at the Guildhall other than to say the enterprise has “hit a number of challenges” and that additional work is to do with the fabric of the building.

It said it won't be ready by next spring but hasn’t given a date when it might be finished. And it is looking at the “financial implications” of additional work needed.