FEATURE MASTER BUILDER OF THE YEAR
STEP INSIDE
S wansea’s Palace Theatre is an fallen into a state of neglect. Then R & M Williams Ltd took on the project to transform the derelict Grade II listed music hall into a modern, co-working space and business hub, which includes a fantastic café. “Completing the project and winning the awards – both the overall winner and for the Commercial or Public Sector Project category – have been huge achievements,” says Mark Williams, Chair of R & M Williams important historical landmark, yet for many years this 19 th century building had Ltd. “The Palace Theatre was challenging for everyone in the team. Swansea Council are one of our longstanding clients too, so it’s great that we have won this with them. The Palace Theatre was almost lost forever, so when we won the big prize on the night it was an emotional moment for all involved.” The theatre, Williams adds, has an impressive history. “Built in 1888, it’s been a music hall, a bingo hall, and a nightclub. It was the first place in Wales to show a silent film, and many famous faces have performed there, including Charlie Chaplin and Sir Anthony Hopkins.” Culturally relevant and technically challenging,
with our supply chain and our in-house tradespeople. “The feedback from the wider industry and clients in Wales has also been positive and supportive of our win,” Osborne adds. “It has also been nice to get congratulations from our client and from other contractors. “They recognise how difficult a project like this is to deliver. We’re grateful to Swansea Council for committing to restore the building rather than demolish it, and for choosing a local contractor to deliver it.” Community at the heart The project involved intricate work and resulted in a beautiful finish – thanks to a serious commitment to local employment. “The complexity of the build and the craftsmanship required were key factors,” Williams explains. “We worked closely with our supply chain and used our in-house core trades, many of whom live locally in the Swansea area. We also created employment opportunities for over 20 people from the local community during the project.” The transformation of the building itself was painstaking. “It was a voyage of discovery for the first 18 months,” Osborne says. “Design and construction teams worked together to
R & M Williams Ltd balances preservation with innovation. As Williams says, “Other councils might have demolished it. But Swansea protected its heritage and now has a building that’s quite exemplary.” The project demonstrated the talent and technical capability within the company. “Our profile in Wales has always been strong,” says Managing Director Martyn Osborne. “People recognise our vans up and down the motorway every day. But this particular project, given its complexity, has shown the marketplace what we can do. “Other clients now understand that this type of specialist work is something we deliver. The positive impact on the team cannot be underestimated. The FMB recognising us in this way is a testament to the work we do
Master Builder 28
www.fmb.org.uk
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