The winning team selected for the estimated £120,000 contract will carry out a condition survey, feasibility study and design reports exploring options to renew and enhance the West Hill Lift which connects George Street in Hastings Old Town to Hastings Castle. The project aims to improve accessibility and preserve heritage of the 1891 funicular railway and the approaches to its upper and lower stations. The search for a design team comes five months after Poroban won a competition for a new visitor centre at Hastings Castle. According to the brief: ‘The Grade II-listed West Hill lift is a tourist and heritage attraction, and transportation link. It is a Victorian funicular railway that is tunnelled into the cliff face. It provides transportation from Hastings Old Town to the top of West Hill, where Ladies' Parlour and Hastings Castle are located.Advertisement ‘A key objective of this project is to produce a comprehensive assessment of the current condition and long-term maintenance requirements of the lift, tunnel, stations, carriages and surrounding area including the steps and approaches to the steps. This project will provide crucial insight into the condition of the asset and produce feasibility reports and designs which can be utilised to progress to the next phase, and aid in applying for funding to undertake the capital works.’ Hastings is a south coast resort town located around 85km from London. Local landmarks include HAT Projects’ Jerwood Gallery, the waterfront Stade open space by Tim Ronalds Architects and dRMM’s redevelopment of Hastings Pier, which won the 2017 Stirling Prize but changed owner within 12 months. The latest procurement comes shortly after IF_DO created a new community hub for Hastings. Holy Trinity Hastings launched a search for a design team for a £2.14 million overhaul one year ago. Bids for the latest commission will be evaluated 80 per cent on quality and 20 per cent on price. Applicants must hold employer’s liability insurance of £10 million, public liability insurance of £10 million and professional indemnity insurance of £2 million. Competition details Project title ESPH AB HBC West Hill Lift Feasibility Study (ESPH687 JB) Client Contract value Tbc First round deadline 2pm, 7 May 2025 Restrictions Tbc More information https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/014403-2025