Contractor appointed for Astwood Crematorium work
The refurbishment of Worcester Crematorium has reached an important stage, with the chosen construction contractor ready to begin on-site next week.
Malvern based Speller Metcalfe have been appointed following a competitive tender process to carry out the building work at the Astwood Road site, which will see new electric cremators installed amongst a range of further improvements. The refurbishment project has been designed by architect Peter Haddon Architects.
During the project, funeral services are temporarily taking place at the KGV Hub, with up to four services held each weekday until the crematorium reopens in the summer next year.
Work began at Astwood Crematorium last month, the existing three gas cremators have been removed, and National Grid have upgraded the crematorium’s power supply ready for the new cremators.
The cemetery grounds at Astwood will remain open throughout the project. Burials will continue both there and at St John’s Cemetery, and ashes can still be scattered in Astwood Cemetery’s garden of remembrance.
Councillor Lynn Denham, Leader of Worcester City Council, said: “We are very pleased that local construction firm Speller Metcalfe is undertaking the refurbishment of Astwood Crematorium.
“Our city’s crematorium is a much-valued service, cherished by residents in Worcester and the wider community. This project is designed to make it an even more special place for honouring the lives and memories of loved ones.
“A key part of the refurbishment will be the installation of new electric cremators, alongside solar panels on the new roof to provide sustainable energy throughout the building. In addition, work will be carried out to enhance biodiversity within the surrounding cemetery grounds.
“Together, these improvements mean that when the crematorium reopens next year, Worcester will be home to the most environmentally friendly crematorium in the West Midlands.”
Speller Metcalfe, based in Malvern, is a national construction company and family-owned business with a passion for innovation and excellence in project delivery.
Matthew Bailey, divisional director at Speller Metcalfe said: “We are proud to be delivering the refurbishment of Astwood Crematorium on behalf of Worcester City Council.
“This project will balance the sensitive nature of the site with the need to modernise facilities, creating a more sustainable welcoming environment that will support the local community for generations to come.”
The key features of the Astwood Crematorium refurbishment are:
- Two new electric cremators installed to replace the current three gas-powered models
- Refurbishment of the chapel, with new furniture, fittings and equipment
- A new chapel garden, with a Japanese theme
- An extension to the window area that looks out from the chapel to that garden, bringing in more natural light and making the new garden more of a focal point
- Landscaping improvements to boost biodiversity at the cemetery grounds
- A heat recovery system, to make the building as energy-efficient as possible
- A new thermally-improved roof for the entire building
- Electric charging points in two parking bays
- Photovoltaic solar panels on the new roof, to further improve the building’s efficiency
- Associated structural enabling work to support the installation of the new cremators.
The refurbishment project is receiving a £1.49 million grant awarded through the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme. This supports energy-efficiency projects, and is run by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and delivered by Salix.
The Book of Remembrance has already been moved to a temporary new home in The Guildhall’s Green Room, where it can be visited Monday-Saturday during the building’s normal opening hours. No appointment is necessary.