Restoring one of Lancashire’s most important cultural landmarks

Client: Preston City Council

Conlon Construction delivered a major conservation, repair and transformation programme at the Grade I listed Harris Museum, Art Gallery & Library, carefully preserving its historic character while creating a more accessible, flexible and welcoming destination for future generations.

Located at the heart of Preston, the Harris is one of the region’s most significant cultural buildings. The project forms a cornerstone of the city’s wider culture-led regeneration programme, ensuring this iconic institution continues to serve communities across Lancashire for decades to come.

The Challenge

The Harris had undergone decades of alterations that, while well intentioned, had gradually moved the building away from architect James Hibbert’s original vision.

The challenge was to carefully reverse these interventions, restore the integrity of the Grade I listed building and improve accessibility, functionality and visitor experience without compromising its historic significance.

Every aspect of the project required close collaboration with conservation specialists, heritage stakeholders and project partners to ensure the building’s architectural and cultural importance was protected throughout.

Our Solution

Conlon delivered an extensive programme of conservation, restoration and improvement works, including:

• Internal and external conservation repairs
• Sensitive removal of historic alterations and interventions
• Reconfiguration of galleries and exhibition spaces
• Creation of a new circulation core
• Installation of a new passenger lift
• Improved accessibility throughout the building
• Roof repairs and structural conservation works
• Stone restoration and façade cleaning
• Refurbishment of original windows
• Enhancements to visitor flow and operational flexibility

The works were carefully designed to respect the building’s heritage while enabling it to meet the needs of a modern cultural institution.

The Outcome

The transformed Harris Museum, Art Gallery & Library now offers a significantly enhanced visitor experience while remaining true to its historic character and architectural significance.

Improved accessibility, more flexible gallery spaces and restored heritage features have opened the building to wider audiences, allowing collections and exhibitions to be experienced in new ways.

As a flagship project within Preston’s wider regeneration programme, the scheme has secured the future of one of Lancashire’s most treasured cultural assets, creating a destination that will continue to inspire, educate and connect communities for generations to come.

Supported by Preston City Council, Lancashire County Council and The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the project demonstrates how thoughtful heritage-led regeneration can preserve the past while creating lasting value for the future.

Our Social Value Impact

• 348 local people employed on the project from within 30 miles of Preston, equating to 143.5 FTE jobs supported. 
• £8.09m spent with the local supply chain within a 30-mile radius. 
• 150 apprentice training weeks delivered, significantly exceeding our original commitment of 60 weeks. 
• Two Release on Temporary Licence (RoTL) placements delivered through Allied Scaffolding, supporting rehabilitation and routes into employment for ex-offenders. 
• Careers activities delivered with local schools, including Balshaw’s High School, St Michael’s High School and Eden Boys’ School. 
• Multiple site tours and project learning visits delivered for University of Lancashire students, Manchester School of Architecture, Preston College and the Grenfell-Baines Institute of Architecture, alongside wider stakeholder and community visits. 
• A Heritage Skills ‘Have a Go’ event held on Preston Flag Market, giving members of the public the opportunity to experience traditional construction skills. 
• 105 saplings planted at Winckley Square in partnership with local stakeholders as part of a carbon offset initiative. 
• £2,500 donated to Men in Sheds/Age Concern to support the creation of a new community shed. 
• Further community support included Preston Pride sponsorship, support for modern slavery charity Unseen, a donation to the English Martyrs Prayer Garden and support for Gregson Lane Junior Football Club. 
• Our approach was recognised with the ESG Award at the North West Regional Construction Awards for the social value delivered through the Harris Museum project.