A main contractor is needed to restore Dover Town Hall.

Dover District Council wants to hear from specialists in the conservation of historic buildings via a pre-tender questionnaire on the Kent Business Portal.

The contract for the £9.1 million project is expected to be awarded in March for with the work starting the following month and finishing in 2024.

The project for the Maison Dieu, in Biggin Street, is the most ambitious historic building conservation project by the council.

It has been aided by a £4.27 million grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and involves an extensive programme of alterations, repairs and refurbishments.

The Maison Dieu, a Grade I Listed building and Scheduled Monument, dates back to the 13th century and originated as a medieval hospital used by pilgrims on the way to the shrine of Thomas Becket at Canterbury Cathedral.

The project includes the restoration of an interior decorative scheme by the neo-Gothic architect, William Burges who extensively remodelled the building for civic use in the early 19th century.

There will also be a new street-level visitor entrance to the Connaught Hall, along with improved access throughout the building.

Redundant spaces will be brought back into commercial use, including restoring the Mayor’s Parlour as a holiday let in conjunction with The Landmark Trust.

There will also be a new café in the space once occupied by Victorian gaol cells.

Once all the work is done the building will be permanently open to the public for the first time ever and contribute to the creation of a heritage quarter in Dover town centre.

The work, which was given planning permission last year, is seen a key role in the regeneration of Dover town centre.

Cllr Trevor Bartlett, leader of Dover District Council, said: “The reawakening of the Maison Dieu restores one of England’s most important civic buildings.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for heritage conservation specialists to be involved in bringing it back to life as the centrepiece of our plans to reinvigorate the town centre,

" It adds to the outstanding collection of built and natural heritage for which Dover is rightly famed.”

Others supporting the project include the civic group the Dover Society and the Wolfson Foundation, which awards grants for projrcts including for heritage.

Intrerrest from contractors can be registered via the website kentbusinessportal.org.uk

Read more: All the latest news from Dover