Work is underway adjacent to Shrewsbury’s Roman Catholic Cathedral to form a cafe, small shop and heritage centre to help cater for the growing number of visitors and community.
We have been awarded the contract to alter and improve the two Grade II listed houses in Belmont, which adjoin the Cathedral, for the major improvement project.
Due for completion in December, the scheme will also provide updated living accommodation for priests, plus offices and meeting rooms for the Catholic Diocese. A second floor room for private prayer will be fitted out by specialists from Spain.
James West, Head of Morris Property said: “We were delighted to be given responsibility for such an important and prestigious project in our community. We are proud of the quality of our workmanship and attention to detail and we have a wealth of experience of working on heritage sites.”
The properties were built around 1800 and need to be sympathetically improved to meet the Cathedral’s needs today while respecting its past.
We have significant experience in many restoration projects both large and small, where design is just as important as functionality. With our in-house joinery team, Morris Joinery, we are able to replicate styles to comply with listed buildings and conservation requirements for key features.
When undertaking specialist works such as this, we also work in close partnership and in collaboration with conservation departments at Shropshire Council.
The cathedral cafe, shop and heritage centre will be formed in a replacement basement extension. Works on the ground, first and second floors and attic rooms will include new floors, re-plastering, new windows, plumbing and electrical works. Landscaping and improved car parking will complete the work.
Mike Jones, experienced site manager for the project, said: “It’s an extensive refurbishment scheme involving demolition and rebuilding. I’m enjoying the challenge and the opportunity to manage such an interesting project.”
We are working to a design by architects Arrol & Snell who also designed a scheme for Shrewsbury’s Belle Vue Methodist Church which we completed earlier this year.
The Cathedral Church of Our Lady Help of Christians and St Peter of Alcantara opened in 1856. One of its greatest treasures is its stained glass in the arts and crafts tradition, which is a big attraction for visitors.
We are a leading construction and development company with a 100 year heritage of creating new-build, contemporary developments and sensitively converting, restoring and refurbishing landmark buildings. Our joinery team of craftsmen offer a full range of domestic and commercial services.
