April 27, 2020 3.40 pm This story is over 59 months old

Work resumes on Lincoln Cathedral after coronavirus delays

Work has now resumed on site

Visuals for the Lincoln Cathedral shop and Cafe, as part of the £16 million Lincoln Cathedral Connected project.

Work has now resumed on the £12.4 million new visitor centre at Lincoln Cathedral after the coronavirus crisis caused delays to the project.

As previously reported, ground was broken as the first phase of works begun on the site of the new visitor centre in October 2018, which will display never before seen treasures. The first phase of works included refurbishing the Old Deanery on the north side of the building for the new visitor centre and cafe.

William Birch & Sons temporarily suspended work on all its sites, including Lincoln Cathedral, on March 26 while it assessed the most practical working methods and site safety in light of the COVID-19 outbreak. It will be working to the Site Operating Procedures published by the Construction Leadership Council, including around social distancing.

Work resumed on site for the Old Deanery visitor centre on Monday, April 27, as well as for the improvement works to the area at the west front of the cathedral.

An opening date for the new visitor centre will be announced later in the year.

The Revd Canon John Patrick, Subdean of Lincoln has oversight of all construction and conservation works at the cathedral.

He said: “Our primary concern is, as it has always been, the safety and wellbeing of everyone who works, worships and visits the cathedral.

“Birch have assured us that they can operate safely and fully within the most up to date government guidelines. We’ve had an excellent working relationship with Birch over the last three years since they have been running the site at the cathedral, and we trust their judgement that work on site can continue safely as the project nears completion.”

The work is part of the National Lottery Funded Connected project, which includes conservation work to the West Front of the cathedral and Exchequergate Arch, landscaping the area around the cathedral and the development of the new visitor centre.

Once open the Old Deanery Visitor Centre will include exhibition and interoperation spaces, an education centre, cafe, shop and a Changing Places toilet.