Guernsey’s historic Market Buildings, over 200 years old, recently underwent an extensive roof lantern restoration. This heritage listed structure had seen major refurbishment in the early 2000s, but the glazed lantern required further attention two decades later. Rihoy & Son was the main contractor, bringing technical expertise and heritage craftsmanship to the project.

The lantern’s timber glazing beads had deteriorated, and a comprehensive assessment revealed the need for selective timber replacement and a new protective capping system. Working alongside Tyrrell Dowinton Associates and the States of Guernsey Planning and Conservation teams, Rihoy & Son played a central role in delivering a sensitive yet forward-thinking conservation solution.

Site access and structural logistics
Managing director, Dan Taylor, explained one of the earliest and most complex challenges was access to the site: “We originally looked at a test area of a 10m length on the Fountain Street side, and effectively assessed the condition of the roof from that. Once we had an idea what to expect, we had to arrange to access the roof for the work. While there is a large flat roofed area in the middle of the market, it isn’t something we could put scaffolding on. We therefore needed a great deal of engineering input into how we could make that work. A lot of thought went into the scaffold structure and how it was supported. We ended up with a canopy over the curved lantern with a working platform on either side. It was complicated but it all worked in the end”.

Designing and installing a working platform over the fragile glazing required extensive collaboration with engineers and scaffold specialists. This enabled safe access for the glazing removal and timber repair works to begin.

Precision restoration and roofing expertise
Rihoy & Son’s team carefully dismantled the existing glazed sections and preserved as much of the original timber structure as possible. Each of the 246 rafters per side was inspected, documented and assessed. Where required, damaged elements were replaced and capped using a custom aluminium system approved by planning authorities, which preserved the historic silhouette while reducing long term maintenance.

The curved form of the lantern added complexity to every stage. Each glass panel had to be templated and precision-cut offsite in the UK before installation. The entire structure was then finished with a three-part protective coating, and new laminated glass was installed to improve durability.

The craftsmanship displayed was especially noted by Charles McHugh, Director of McAulay (Market Buildings) Limited, who praised Rihoy’s tradesmen for their skill: “The joinery, particularly around the rounded bull nose end of the lantern, is particularly complex”.

The success of this sensitive heritage restoration highlights Rihoy & Son’s capability in tackling technically demanding conservation projects. Their work has secured the future of this important island landmark.