Go-ahead for £8.2 million Pavilion project

Date released: 6 May 2004

MCC Members have approved - by a massive margin - proposals for an £8.2 million refurbishment of the historic Pavilion at Lord's.

The decision was taken yesterday evening (Wednesday 5th May), at MCC's Annual General Meeting.

The work will begin in September and last until April. As a result, the Pavilion - a Grade II* listed building - will be restored to pristine condition in time for the 2005 season, when the visitors to Lord's will include Australia and, for the first time, Bangladesh.

The project - which had previously been approved by English Heritage and Westminster City Council - will include the refurbishment of the famous Long Room, the construction of a new roof terrace (at the rear of the building), and the two Pavilion turrets being brought back into use.

Other recent ground improvement projects at Lord's have included the re-laying of the outfield, the development of the country's first portable pitches, and the installation of a see-through Pavilion sightscreen.