British Museum Round Reading Room Roof Repair and Restoration Project

The British Museum is seeking a Principal Contractor for essential roof repair and replacement works to the Grade I listed Round Reading Room, a heritage structure of exceptional national significance completed in 1857. The project contract value is estimated between £7 million and £9 million. The scope includes four principal work areas: repair and replacement of the Snow Gallery flat roof with warm roof installation; conservation-led repair of the copper dome with localised panel replacement; full replacement of the glazed lantern with a bespoke tiered steel glazing system; and upgrade of maintenance access and mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems. Key project challenges include working within a fully enclosed site with no direct external crane access, maintaining public and staff access to the Reading Room throughout construction, managing asbestos-containing materials and lead-based paints, and coordinating complex temporary scaffold and access systems in a live occupied building. Tenders will be selected through single-stage traditional procurement under JCT Standard Building Contract 2024 with Contractor's Design Portion. Successful contractors must demonstrate extensive experience in Grade I/II* listed conservation, heritage metal roofing, liquid-applied roofing, bespoke glazing, heritage window joinery, and complex temporary works in constrained occupied environments. Key dates: Tender Notice publication 24 August, site visits week commencing 10 September (maximum four attendees per tenderer), submission deadline 5 October, contractor appointment November 2026, site start January 2027, practical completion Q1 2028. Interested suppliers must sign and return a non-negotiable confidentiality agreement before accessing tender documents. Early completion of this agreement is strongly recommended.