Plans to refurbish the Orangery in Heaton Park following a 12 year hiatus are underway as a planning application is submitted to the council.
The plans will see the Orangery, last open in 2012, undergo an refurbishment overhaul to bring the much loved building, steeped in history, back into use.
The planned works to the interior of the Orangery are the latest in the continued investment in the Hall which saw the Council and Historic England invest over £2.1m in 2018-19 in works to the external fabric of this Grade 1 listed building to ensure it remains wind and weathertight.
The work to the Orangery which is part of the Grade 1 listed Heaton Hall, will focus on new flooring, a full redecoration, new doors, upgraded toilets and a full overhaul of the electrical and heating systems including a new low carbon air source heat pump in line with the council's commitment to become zero carbon by 2038.
Manchester City Council would work with Construction partner Manchester and Cheshire Construction on this first fix to fit out the building which would take approximately five months to complete leaving a blank canvas for any future operating partner.
This work is the culmination of work where the Council has engaged with the market to look at what Orangery could do in the future and realise it's incredible potential, and this will include identifying the right operational partner to help to deliver this ambition of a high-quality dining and event space right in the heart of Heaton Park.
Councillor Lee-Ann Igbon, Executive Member for Vibrant Neighbourhoods said:
"We know that Heaton Hall is most definitely a jewel in Heaton Park's crown and as custodians of this wonderful building we take our responsibility for its upkeep seriously. The next step in this journey is bringing the Orangery, a much-loved part of Heaton Hall estate, back into use. We are determined to inject energy and vigour into this beautiful building and in the future work with a partner that will do it justice and bring it back into use as an events space to ensure its long-term future. I look forward to exciting times ahead."
David Blood, Chair of Friends of Heaton Hall said:
"The Friends of Heaton Hall is celebrating its 20th Anniversary this year and we look forward to continuing to work alongside the Council and Historic England to restore the Orangery so that it can open its doors to visitors once again. We are excited by the news and hope that more people will get to experience a special place that is Heaton Hall."