When did McDonalds open in Burnley?

[AfloatinClaret]

Although MUCH more expensive...

Corrected that for you. I've done a few retained facade projects and they're evil! Very expensive, much slower, significantly more dangerous for the site operatives, invariably resulting in a less user-friendly space at the end and many/most aren't structurally sound enough to allow it. That's something that sometimes isn't apparent until you start on site, so after you've already expended a lot of time and money in the design and preparation works; the commonly heard praise for the quality of Victorian buildings is oftentimes far from true.

[ChrisG]

Corrected that for you. I've done a few retained facade projects and they're evil! Very expensive, much slower, significantly more dangerous for the site operatives, invariably resulting in a less user-friendly space at the end and many/most aren't structurally sound enough to allow it. That's something that sometimes isn't apparent until you start on site, so after you've already expended a lot of time and money in the design and preparation works; the commonly heard praise for the quality of Victorian buildings is oftentimes far from true.

This is spot on. If done right they can look good, like the Radisson or Motel One in Manchester off top of my head. However in terms of interaction with the new build element they are a right ball ache.

I worked pre-contract on a scheme in Stockport that involved converting an old mill into resi apartments. Attempting to integrate services, lifts, fire stopping, partitions etc was an absolute nightmare.