Robert Woodhead Limited has started work at the National Space Centre in Leicester to create a brand new welcome hall and ticketing facility, improving the visitor experience and increasing exhibition space.
The project, which will be complete in time for the summer holidays, was procured via Scape and is being delivered by East Midlands construction company, Robert Woodhead Ltd.
Known as the Launch Pad, the project, designed by architects Pick Everard, will create much needed space for the award-winning attraction, which has continued to see year on year growth since its launch in 2001.
Launch Pad will significantly increase the cafe seating area, as well as adding a brand-new exhibition space and installing some new artefacts from the collection.
The changes will not only provide a flexible ticketing process for peak and off-peak periods, it will significantly improve access around the Centre.
Chas Bishop, Chief Executive of the National Space Centre said: “Launch Pad seeks to address some of the challenges we currently have at the National Space Centre. It will create a highly visible entrance, a purpose built queuing space and ticket sales point. However, it will also look to enhance customer experience and add more space for us to be able to display some truly world class artefacts. We have a great success story to tell, as we approach welcoming our 4 millionth visitor, but we also want to continue developing and making the attraction appropriate, accessible and enjoyable to all our visitors.”
The Woodhead team started on site last week and will be working in partnership with the National Space Centre to minimise disruption to the thousands of visitors who will use the Centre over this development period.
Tony Robinson, Project Manager for Woodhead, said: “We’re excited to be working on this project for the National Space Centre. The additional space will make a big difference to the customer experience.
“Although working on such a unique building is a real privilege, and not our day-to-day sort of project, we do have real experience of working in busy environments and understand the need to maintain a fantastic experience for visitors. We’ll be working hard over the coming weeks and months to ensure the project is delivered effectively, as well as working with the team here to make the process of interest to visitors and the surrounding community.”
Mark Robinson, Scape Chief Executive, commented: “It is great to see work begin on improving the visitor experience at the National Space Centre. Through Scape, the project will be delivered efficiently, minimising disruption to the everyday operation of the centre. In addition, to improving this important educational facility, the work will create social value by engaging the local supply chain and supporting SMEs. We look forward to seeing this project progress over the coming weeks.”
Image Credit: Pick Everard.