Chartered building company, Greendale Construction Limited, has successfully completed extensive conservation, restoration and refurbishment works at Poole Museum and Scaplen’s Court for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council The works followed a prior phase of energy saving improvements – also completed by Greendale Construction. The current works focused on the museum’s three buildings; Scaplen’s Court and the Town Cellars both Grade I listed, and Grade II listed Oakley’s Mill.
Major structural adaptions have been completed to the buildings, including enlarging the museum lift shaft and enlarging multiple entrances to make all areas of the building more accessible. The works included replacement mechanical and electrical services, a new platform lift, and mezzanine structure to the courtyard in Scaplen’s Court. A new passenger lift was also installed at Poole Museum.
New flooring was installed throughout, along with extensive decorations and re-pointing works. Six new exhibition gallery spaces have been constructed, along with a new shop fit out and a new café area including kitchen and seating areas.
The bay window to Scaplen’s Court was removed in its entirety and a new bespoke facade was constructed to create a striking new bay entranceway.
Chris Cave, Commercial Director, Greendale Construction commented: “Greendale Construction is delighted to have been main contractors on this fantastic project which will benefit the local community and visitors from all over the country and even further afield. A major focus of the project has been to open-up the buildings, doubling public and display space. We have made the museum buildings more accessible for all, with new ground floor accessible WCs, level access and new lifts. Greendale Construction has carried out multiple phases on the Poole Museum project, as well as an extension back in 2006 and 2007. This also includes the decarbonisation works, restoration works at Scaplen’s Court, and Public Realm. We also got involved with tours throughout the project, including welcoming members the public, stakeholders, local organisations such as Dorset Chamber of Trade and Commerce on a tour of the works, as well as Helen Patel, Senior Business Development Manager and James Cole, Business Development Manager at The Chartered Institute of Building.”
Alison Gudgeon, Senior Project Manager for Poole Museum, BCP Council said: “The completion of this phase marks a significant milestone in the transformation of Poole Museum into a more inclusive, engaging, and accessible cultural destination.
“Greendale Construction has delivered exceptional work on a complex and sensitive site, respecting the heritage of these historic buildings while enabling modern functionality. We’re thrilled to see the vision for the whole museum estate come to life.”
“Now that Scaplen’s Court is open and delighting visitors with its fresh, inclusive new look, we’re looking forward to completing the new galleries in the main museum and opening our doors for everyone to enjoy all our revitalised spaces this autumn.”