Hackney Council's Procurement Board has approved a £1.25 million contract for the refurbishment of Hackney Museum, a decision made at a meeting on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.
The significant project, which aims to transform the museum into a more welcoming and engaging cultural asset, will see Supplier E undertake the work. The refurbishment includes the creation of a new welcome reception, shop, two temporary exhibition galleries, event and teaching spaces, and a Community Room. The museum's permanent exhibition, which explores the borough's history and contemporary identity, will be reinterpreted and redisplayed to create a new, relevant, and sustainable visitor experience. Digital infrastructure will also be improved, and enhancements to display furniture and small power will support phased changes to environmental controls, contributing to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
The refurbishment project is substantially funded by a £2.24 million grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF), with a £350,000 capital contribution from the council. The entire project is scheduled for completion by the end of 2028.
The procurement process for the refurbishment works opted for a restricted competition due to the specialised nature of the tasks. Alternative options, such as using an existing framework or an open tender exercise, were considered but deemed unsuitable or too resource-intensive.
Supplier E was selected as the highest-scoring tender, achieving 86.44% based on a combination of quality and price. The contractor has committed to a range of sustainability initiatives beyond using renewable materials and waste reduction. These include utilising energy-efficient appliances and equipment, encouraging public transport or carpooling for employees, and using electric or hybrid vehicles where feasible. Supplier E will also adopt a circular economy approach, prioritise products for durability and repairability, and educate staff and subcontractors on the importance of renewable resources and conservation. Environmental performance will be tracked through project-specific KPIs with monthly progress updates provided.
In terms of social value, Supplier E will prioritise local supply chains, sourcing specialist trades and services from Hackney and neighbouring boroughs. They will offer work placements and apprenticeships, and support local recruitment through initiatives like Hackney Works. Specific numbers for work placements or apprenticeships and their duration are not detailed in the provided information.
More details on the procurement board's decisions can be found in the Public reports pack and the Decisions document from the meeting.