Hospice names contractor for £5.5m rebuilding scheme

After what is described as an “intensive period of tendering”, Interserve has been chosen to build a “major extension” and transform the inpatient facilities at the hospice in Little Common Lane, Whirlow.

The Yorkshire division of Inter- serve is headed by Sheffielder Kevin Frain, and the firm is behind many of the city’s most famous sites, including the Don Valley Stadium, Motorpoint Arena, Millennium Gallery and Winter Gardens.

Building work is planned to start next month and should be completed by August 2013.

Chief executive Peter Hartland said yesterday: “We are absolutely delighted to have completed the selection process. I would like to thank all those who tendered.

“In the end, Interserve offered us the best value and is committed to a very high-quality process and product.

“The fact that about 70 per cent of the value of the project will flow into Sheffield and within 10 miles of its centre is great news for local employment and local businesses.

“We are now finalising the detailed plans for June, and will be keeping our neighbours informed of the process.”

The construction project will create entirely new facilities at St Luke’s, with 14 en-suite single rooms and two triple-occupancy rooms to care for 20 inpatients.

Mr Hartland added: “The hospice has decided to get on with this work to safeguard a key part of our service, which was under threat owing to the age and condition of our facilities.

“We will soon be sharing our progress and plans regarding the funding for the project – which is separate to the £4m we have to raise in Sheffield every year just to keep St Luke’s open.’

Mr Frain, divisional director of Interserve, said: “As a native of the city, I have always been very aware of St Luke’s Hospice and greatly admired its work.

“We at Interserve will be very proud to play our part in providing these excellent new facilities at the hospice.”

St Luke’s Hospice looks after around 1,400 patients in Sheffield every year, through both community and inpatient care.

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