St Columb’s Hall in Derry is set for a major redevelopment after the St Columb’s Hall Trust secured a £3.75m National Lottery Heritage Fund delivery grant to restore and modernise the Grade A listed building.

The project, reported by BBC News, will bring the historic venue back into fuller community use while addressing the building systems and accessibility requirements needed to support its long-term operation.

Built in 1886 and opened in 1888, the People’s Hall has played a longstanding role in Derry’s cultural and community life. The Heritage Fund says only around one-third of the 45,000-square-foot building is currently usable, creating an opportunity to restore significant space while improving its day-to-day functionality.

The redevelopment will include repairs to the roof, floors, stairs, doors, windows, external walls and metalwork. New electrical, lighting, ventilation, alarm and IT systems will also be installed, supporting a more modern operating environment within the historic structure.

Accessibility and safe movement through the building will form another important part of the programme. Planned works include updates to stairs and the lift, alongside improvements to access and escape routes, helping the venue accommodate a wider range of users.

The project also demonstrates how facilities management can support the continued use of heritage assets. Rather than separating conservation from modern operational needs, the works combine fabric repairs and building-services upgrades with new spaces, including an exhibition area and rooftop terrace.

The Heritage Fund has confirmed that work is expected to begin in spring 2027, with the wider project intended to open the whole building for community use. The investment will also sustain four full-time equivalent roles and create apprenticeships and volunteer opportunities linked to the venue’s future operation.

For facilities teams, heritage buildings present a distinctive challenge: maintaining historic character while ensuring modern standards of accessibility, safety, building performance and user experience can be met. St Columb’s Hall shows how a conservation-led approach can incorporate these operational priorities from the outset.

For the sector, the lesson is direct: effective facilities management can help heritage buildings move from preservation to long-term use by combining sensitive restoration with modern systems, safer access and practical operational planning.

Source: BBC News / National Lottery Heritage Fund / Heritage Fund Northern Ireland / St Columb’s Hall Trust