House's new look is worthy of note

Feb 26 2008 By Jon Griffin

A BIRMINGHAM building firm is quids in after giving a new lease of life to the Midland Bishop's home which graced the nation's £20 note.

Kings Heath-based Contech Construction, specialists in the refurbishment of listed buildings, have completed the renovation of College House, residence of the Bishop of Worcester.

The Birmingham firm was commissioned to refit and re-equip the three-storey building which appears adjacent to Worcester Cathedral on the back of the Sir Edward Elgar £20 bank note, the one that preceded the current note featuring economist Adam Smith.

Craftsmen from Contech provided new en-suite bathrooms, shower rooms, rewiring, lighting, plumbing and sash window replacement.

Nigel Walker, managing director of Contech, said: "With listed buildings you need to work with the structure a lot more and carefully preserve such features as leaded and sash windows."

He said Contech had liaised closely with local planners at Worcester to ensure the work being carried out was sympathetic to the character of the original building.

"Features are carefully preserved in keeping with the first concept and a variety of bricks, tiles, slates, renders and architectural details are used to ensure external finishes reflect the local setting," he added.

Contech also built the new £1.3 million St Luke's Church in Attwood Green, near the centre of Birmingham, and is carrying out ongoing repairs and maintenance to the home of the Bishop of Birmingham.

College House is thought to be the first private building to be featured on a British bank note.