Carman Contracting has begun work on an extensive restoration and renovation project at the historic Taunton Crown Court at Taunton Shire Hall. The contract, awarded to long-standing client Equans through a single source tender, involves comprehensive façade and roof repairs as well as internal renovations to the Grade II listed building.

The court, which was built in 1858, closed in September 2023 to allow for the essential structural and aesthetic improvement works to bring it up to modern standards while preserving its heritage. Our extensive scope of work will take a year to complete and includes internal dilapidation repairs, fire door replacement, full redecoration and recarpeting the entire court, and structural repairs to Courts One and Two which have been emptied of all furniture and reduced to a shell while the work is undertaken.

Our team is addressing accessibility issues to ensure the court complies with the Equality Act (previously the Disability Discrimination Act). This includes making critical changes to court access, as the facility is currently not accessible for wheelchair users. The modifications will also ensure safe access to and from the custody suite so that the prison escort services can safely transport defendants to the dock.

Structural reinforcements are being added to strengthen the substructure beneath the courtroom floors. The viewing gallery, which currently overlooks the judge’s desk, will be redesigned to ensure sensitive judicial documents cannot be viewed from above.

Elsewhere, our fire division specialists are carrying out essential fire door remedial works to bring the historic doors up to modern fire safety standards. This includes easing and adjusting doors, installing new drop seals, installing intumescent fire strips and updating fire door signage. Existing Georgian glass is being replaced with new fire-rated glass, and the doors are being carefully redecorated with Envirograf coating to ensure fire protection while blending in with the existing aesthetics. Given the age of the doors, with some dating back 167 years, this work requires a balance of heritage conservation expertise with modern fire compliance.

“As it’s a heritage site, all the decorating and restoration work has to be in keeping with the original aesthetics,” explained John Graham, Carman Contracting Project Manager. “We have teams of specialist trades working on this project, including stone masons for the Grade II listed building, and skilled carpenters to properly reinstall the period furniture once the structural work is complete.