Pavilion refurbishment: MCC selects Sames Ltd for multi-million pound Lord's project

Date released: 8 June 2004

MCC has selected the Sames Division of MICE Group plc to implement its multi-million pound Pavilion refurbishment project. The two organisations have signed letters of intent; a formal contract is expected to be finalised shortly.

Sames was selected after MCC and its project advisers - the architectural firm, Ettwein Bridges - had reviewed, in detail, the skills, experience and track records of four shortlisted firms.

Past projects undertaken by Sames include the refurbishment of the Wellcome Trust's headquarters (in Euston Road) and the construction of Sarum Hall School - a project that won a Civic Trust Award. The current projects of the company - formed in 1860 - include the construction of a new Music Department for Westminster School.

Commenting on Sames' selection, David Batts (right), MCC's Deputy Chief Executive, said: "This is an enormously important project for Lord's. The Pavilion is one of the most beautiful and revered buildings in world sport. We're determined to restore it to pristine condition in time for the 2005 cricket season. The timetable is a tight one, but I'm confident that we've selected the right firm to deliver this project on time, within budget and to the highest possible standards."

Patrick Ettwein, of Ettwein Bridges, said: "Each of the shortlisted firms had excellent credentials but, during the selection process, we were especially impressed by Sames' track record. In particular, their recent work on behalf of Westminster School and the Wellcome Trust showed them to be setting the highest possible standards. Nothing less will do for the refurbishment of the world-renowned Pavilion at Lord's."

The Managing Director of Sames, John Apsley, commented: "We're delighted to have been selected for this enormously important and prestigious project. It's a great responsibility, but also a great honour, to be entrusted with the task of returning the Pavilion to pristine condition on behalf of MCC and, indeed, the hundreds of thousands of cricket fans who visit Lord's each season."

To enable the project to be completed in time for the start of the 2005 season - when the visitors to Lord's will include Australia and, for the first time, Bangladesh - the Pavilion will be closed to all visitors from the end of the current cricket season, in mid-September.

The refurbishment project will include the creation of a new roof terrace, the redecoration of the Long Room and players' dressing rooms, and the two Pavilion turrets being brought back into use.

The Pavilion project will take MCC's expenditure on ground improvement projects, since the Club's bicentenary in 1987, past the £50 million-mark.

Recent improvements have included the re-laying of the outfield (£1.2 million), the refurbishment of the Lord's Tavern (£250,000) and the on-going development of the country's first portable pitches.