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Phase one nears completion on £3.8m Hatton Gallery refurbishment

Building contract Surgo Construction has begun work on a major refurbishment project at Newcastle University’s Hatton Gallery.

The work on the Grade II listed gallery, which forms part of the University’s Fine Art department, is to be carried out over two phases, with the first completing at the end of October before phase two which is due to end in mid-February.

Improvements slated for the building include a refurbishment of the building’s galleries, renovation of roof lights, the installation of steelwork to carry new mechanical equipment, re-roofing work and the creation of new meeting rooms and seminar areas.

Surgo director, Jeff Alexander, said the firm was ‘delighted’ to be working on another project with Newcastle University, and believed the North East contractor’s experience of working on live ‘tight’ sites made it well qualified for the work.

Expanding on the project’s complexity, he said: ““Parts of the building are listed so there is a requirement for us to work with a conservation officer as well as with Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums in relation to the priceless and iconic Merz Barn Wall by Kurt Schwitters.

“The wall was brought to the gallery in 1965 and incorporated into the fabric of the building where it is still in situ so the environment surrounding it must be controlled and protected at all times, therefore any activities resulting in vibration or dust cannot take place close by.

“We are working closely with building users and other contractors to carefully schedule deliveries while the University will undertake regular inspections to ensure that the contract goes according to plan.”

Refurbishment at the Hatton Gallery, which currently houses 3,000 works of art from the 14th to 20th Century, has been made possible thanks to money from the Heritage Lottery Fund alongside other grants and donations secured by Newcastle University and Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums.

Newcastle University’s Project Engineer Manager, Andy Ransome, said that the work will help to conserve the look and feel of the building, while still ensuring that the gallery remains a vibrant and worthwhile site.

He said: “Work is already progressing well on the project as we seek to conserve the historic and architectural elements of this Grade II listed building, while creating a modern exhibition space with improved visitor facilities, improved lighting and more efficient environmental controls. Surgo’s previous experience made them the ideal choice for this project.”

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