THE contract to create a new world-class exhibition space for Durham Cathedral has been awarded to a York company.

Cathedral bosses have chosen Dunnington-based Simpson (York) to carry out the next stage of their £10m Open Treasure appeal.

Phase 1b will see a new exhibition space created leading from the Monks’ Dormitory to the Great Kitchen, allowing the Cathedral to display more of its treasures and host priceless artefacts loaned from from across the country and worldwide.

Simpson was chosen for the contract from five bids submitted earlier this year.

John Holmes, the Cathedral’s head of property, said: “This was an in-depth process, which involved looking at both quality and price and of course how much experience the various contractors had working on ancient monuments like Durham Cathedral.

“This next phase of development is very exciting but we need to ensure that while we improve and modernise areas of the Cathedral, we also preserve its history and heritage and that is a hugely important aspect of this job.”

Mark Cregan, operations director at Simpson, said: “We are delighted to be part of the project team commissioned to deliver the exciting phase 1b project at Durham Cathedral.

“Our wealth of experience in restoration and conservation in buildings such as the Cathedral will be utilised to the full, whilst carrying out this most complex and largest internal project the Cathedral has undertaken in many centuries.”

Simpson was responsible for the recent £120,000 refurbishment of the Cathedral’s Undercroft Restaurant.

Work on phase 1b is expected to begin on site next month.