Leeds stately home revamp goes £133k over budget

Work at Lotherton Hall included installation of a new lift, the refurbishment of the costume gallery, all at an initial expected cost of just over £600,000.

However the need for new fire and safety measures meant another £133,000 had to be found, taking the total spend to £735,000.

A report just approved by Tom Bridges, the council’s chief officer for economy and regeneration, explains: “In 2014, the estimated cost of the work was £602,605.

“The refurbishment works are complete and the outturn cost is £735,600, equating to an overspend of £133,000 against the original approved.”

Almost £456,000 of the bill has been picked up by Leeds taxpayers.

The remainder is made up of £150,000 of funding from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Wolfson Museums and Galleries Fund, and £130,000 from Arts Council England.

Lotherton Hall was the Yorkshire home of the Gascoigne family until it was given to Leeds City Council in 1968.

It opened as a museum and art gallery in 1969. A suite of guest bedrooms on the first floor were converted into a costume gallery in the 1970s.