Worcester Cathedral – Reaching New Heights: Scaffolding Contractor (Expression of Interest)

Tender description

Project Overview Worcester Cathedral is proposing a programme of high-level repair works to the North-West tower pinnacles, following previous storm-related damage and ongoing fabric deterioration. The works will require a complex, high-level access scaffold to facilitate: - Careful dismantling and rebuilding of stone pinnacles - Masonry repairs and conservation works - Associated roof-level access and protection measures - The scaffold will form a critical element of the project, both in enabling safe access and in protecting the historic fabric below. Scope of Scaffolding Works (Indicative) The appointed contractor will be expected to: - Design, supply, erect, maintain, adapt and dismantle a fully compliant scaffold system - Provide independent tied scaffolding to the North-West tower at high level - Minimise physical intervention into historic fabric (fixings into mortar joints only where required) Incorporate: - Full working platforms to pinnacle level - Safe access routes for operatives and materials - Hoisting arrangements / loading bays (subject to design development) - Debris containment and protection measures - Weather protection (if required) - Welfare Facilites Coordinate with: - Cathedral operations (public access, services, events) - Conservation requirements - Specialist contractors (stonemasons, rope access where applicable) All works must comply with: BS EN 12811 and relevant TG20 guidance Heritage best practice for working on listed structures Key Constraints - Grade I listed building of exceptional significance - Prominent location within the city and cathedral precinct - Ongoing public access and daily use of the cathedral - Limited opportunities for fixing into historic fabric - Requirement for visually sensitive and carefully detailed scaffold design - Potential ecological constraints (programme-dependent) Contractor Requirements Interested contractors should be able to demonstrate: - Proven experience of complex scaffolding to historic / listed buildings, ideally cathedrals or structures of similar scale - Experience working at significant height and in constrained heritage environments - Working to an agreed scaffold design on a complex building Strong approach to: - Health & safety - Protection of historic fabric - Coordination with multi-disciplinary teams - Ability to engage early in design development and methodology planning Expression of Interest Submission Contractors are invited to submit an Expression of Interest including: - Company profile and relevant experience - Examples of comparable projects (with images where possible) Initial comments on approach to: - Working on historic fabric - High-level access and stability - Confirmation of availability and capacity Next Steps Following review of Expressions of Interest, a shortlist of contractors will be invited to: - Submit a formal tender