Historic Peterborough Restaurant Scheme Secured by ISG

ISG has been awarded a project to create a new Carluccio’s restaurant and a speculative retail unit by developer Hammerson. The scheme will link the property firm’s Queensgate Shopping Centre in Peterborough with the adjacent Grade II listed Miss Pears Building.

ISG is already on site at Queensgate Shopping Centre delivering a scheme to create a new two storey Primark store for Hammerson. This latest project will see the contractor complete refurbishment, extension and new-build elements over a tight, 15-week programme, while tackling the challenges of a listed building and severely restricted site access.

The Miss Pears Building is a former 1860s alms house, which was extended in 1902 following a donation by the eponymous Miss Pears. Until recently, the area of the building that will become the Carluccio’s restaurant was a tea room and ISG will carry out a complete strip out, including demolition of some interior walls and creation of new door openings. An extension to the side of the existing building will complete the new restaurant space and ISG will hand over the scheme as a shell ready for fit out by Carluccio’s in early September.

The new-build retail unit will be located on the corner of the alms house and the shopping centre, connecting the two buildings. The original façade of the alms house will be retained as the rear internal wall of the unit, complete with leaded windows, and the side wall will be formed by the adjoining shopping centre. ISG will erect a steel frame with a reconstituted stone façade and curved glass frontage to create the retail unit and install a stainless steel coated roof. The unit will also be handed over as a shell ready for fit out by the new tenant.

ISG’s Phillip Allerton, managing director – East, commented: “This is an innovative project that will maximise the impact of the architectural features of the Miss Pears Building, while providing contemporary accommodation for Carluccio’s and the new retail tenant. It is an excellent example of how ingenious design can maximise the footprint and value of a client’s property assets and we are confident that our project management experience and proactive approach to overcoming logistical challenges will contribute to an outstanding construction solution.”