Lerwick Town Hall reopens after four month closure for heating upgrades
LERWICK Town Hall has reopened today (Monday) after four months of closure to upgrade the historic building’s heating system.
The town hall has been shut from July through October to allow over 30 new cast-iron radiators and new pipework to be installed in the grade A listed building, which is more than 140 years old.
It comes after the town hall was connected to the Lerwick district heating scheme earlier this year, with the old oil-fired boilers in the building’s basement being removed and replaced with heat exchangers.
Shetland Islands Council (SIC) said the move has already “significantly reduced the carbon footprint of the building”, adding that the upgrade “will improve the heating system’s performance, efficiency, and controllability for many years to come”.
Additional loft insulation has also been installed, with the single pipe system to supply hot water replaced with a lagged two pipe stainless steel system.
Some extra work has also been done to upgrade ceiling lights, replace carpets and to upgrade plumbing in bathrooms and kitchens while the Lerwick Town Hall has been shut.
Most of the works have been undertaken by council tradesmen and local contractors, including Ness Engineering, Robertson & Peterson, G&S Flooring Ltd, and Anderson & Cluness Ltd.
The cost of the energy efficiency works has been supported by a grant of £167,873 from the Scottish Government’s public sector heat decarbonisation fund, with the cost of additional works being met from maintenance budgets for the building.
The front entrance to the town hall reopened for public access today, with council staff returning to office spaces in the building.
The SIC added that the registrar’s service continues to be an appointment only service.
Anyone wishing to discuss the registration of births, deaths, and marriages can contact the registrar by calling 01595 744562 or emailing registrar@shetland.gov.uk.
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