Glass centre repair costs ludicrous, say critics

Critics believe the repair estimates for the National Glass Centre are much higher than actual costs would be

Campaigners objecting to the closure of the National Glass Centre (NGC) have claimed repair cost estimates for the building are "ludicrous".

The University of Sunderland, which plans to close the centre next year, said fixing the site would cost between £14m and £45m.

But Nigel Taylor, a former civil engineer and member of Save the National Glass Centre, said the costs published by the university are "very high" and may have deterred "potential benefactors" from providing funding.

The university said the repair costs were based on "independent advice" and none of the options put forward was affordable given its income is derived from student tuition.

The NGC opened in 1998 but the building and land has been owned by the University of Sunderland since 2010.

A feasibility study carried out to determine ways to repair the roof suggested two main options.

One suggested replacing the existing glass roof with one combining glazing and solid material at an estimated cost of £14m

The other also involved replacement along with additional work on the roof envelope, including its side elevations. The estimated cost for this project was £45m.

Nigel Taylor (centre) said the repair estimates for the National Glass Centre do not stand up to scrutiny

Mr Taylor said the difference between the lower and higher costs was an "unbelievable spread" and said the true costs should be much lower.

"I have looked at the £14m estimate in detail and even this does not stand up to scrutiny. The construction costs within that are only £6.5m," he said.

"The rest is a mix of risk, fees, contingencies and inflation, all of which appear very high to suit the university's narrative."

The £14m estimate includes a 10% design and construction risk allowance, a 10% employer risk allowance and a 15% allowance for other project costs, such as IT and audio visual equipment.

It also includes a 16.34% allowance for inflation, which comes to an extra £1.63m.

The report notes an alternative to replacing the roof could be over-cladding it with a "simple secondary roof".

While this would prevent light coming through the existing glass roof, it would reduce costs by between £2.5m and £4.5m.

'No support offered'

A spokesman for the university said it had invested more than £15m in the NGC over the last decade and the building survey it commissioned in 2022 found a "multimillion-pound investment would be required to address the remedial issues".

"The report included risk, VAT, and other project allowances which would be as expected for a project of this scale.

"The total cost of all the recommended remedial work was, based on independent advice, a minimum £14m and more likely nearer £45m.

"The report suggested there may be alternative replacement roofing options which could potentially reduce the total cost by £2.5m - £4.5m.

"However, none of the options outlined in the building survey report were affordable given that the bulk of the university's income comes from student tuition fees and is spent on its core priority activities of learning, teaching, research, innovation and knowledge exchange.

"Since the planned closure of the building was announced in 2023, no individual or organisation has come forward to offer any financial support towards refurbishing the building.

"The NGC will close on 31 July 2026."