Inverness Common Good to fund city civic architectural assets

Essential restoration works to a major, historical architectural asset in the Inverness city skyline have been given the go ahead by members of The Highland Council’s Inverness City Committee.

An estimated £950,000 of repair works is required to restore the ‘A Listed’ Town Steeple on Bridge Street, Inverness.

Results of a recent condition survey of the building recommend that works required include: full stone repairs, mortar pointing; improved internal maintenance access; and works to the clock faces and weather vane.

Chairman of The Highland Council’s Inverness City Committee, Provost Jimmy Gray said: “The Inverness Common Good Fund owns the Town Steeple and Clock Tower and has a responsibility to maintain the structure in good and safe condition. There have been problems in recent years with the external fabric of the building and we have a duty to properly maintain our buildings and protect the public from any potential harm. This work will see the building, which is at the heart of the City, safe for future generations.”

Restoration works are expected to take place on the Steeple building in the summer months of 2011 (between April to September). The necessity to undertake the works during this period is due to the nature of lime works (pointing and grouting) requiring to be undertaken in temperatures above 5 degrees Celsius.

The Highland Council is in discussion with the tenant jewellery business that currently occupies the Steeple Tower as the restoration works which will be internal and external will require the property to be vacant.

Members of the Inverness City Committee were also updated on proposed works at two other properties owned by the Inverness Common Good Fund. Tenders are shortly to be invited for the replacement of the Victorian Market roof in the city centre and, in 2012 repairs to the exterior of Inverness Town House are estimated to cost £3million. Details of the proposed repair works to Inverness Town House are due to be reported at a future Inverness City Committee.