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Jewry Wall Museum

Project Value

£9 million

Project Location

St Nicholas’ Circle, Leicester

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A renewed past, a secure future 

The challenge

The Jewry Wall Museum, housed within the Grade II-listed Vaughan College, is a showcase for Leicestershire’s rich archaeological past. It sits adjacent to a site of national cultural significance – the Jewry Wall, Britain’s tallest surviving section of Roman masonry. 
 
Pulse led the regeneration of the 1960s museum building – designed originally by Trevor Dannatt OBE – breathing new life into one of Midlands’ most admired cultural treasures. 
 
The renewal turned a building whose fabric had been deteriorating into an accessible public asset, filled with state-of-art immersive exhibitions. While overcoming the insolvencies of two major contractors, Pulse Consult guided the Museum to a triumphant reopening in June 2025.

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Credit: Martine Hamilton-Knight

The stats:

3

key phases of transformation 

2000

year old site renewed

100

Roman Artefacts housed

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Credit: Martine Hamilton-Knight

The role we've played

The mission of the project was to preserve and revitalise one of Leicester's most significant historical and cultural assets: to transform the Jewry Wall Museum into a modern, inclusive space for the community. 
 
New glazed walls would connect the exhibition space to the Jewry Wall and a Roman bathhouse which has been designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument. For the first time in the building’s history, a new pedestrian bridge would create fully-accessible entry for the public. 
 
Following the insolvencies of two principal contractors, Pulse led the crisis response – implementing careful financial management and value engineering to swiftly develop a new supply chain. We restructured timelines and secured offsite materials, taking care to uphold all planning, listed building, and SAM consents.  
 
Our expertise in public procurement, conservation compliance and agile leadership was essential to ensure that the project stayed viable and reputable – creating a bright future for a piece of treasured history.  
 

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Credit: Martine Hamilton-Knight

Construction consultancy services provided on this project:

  • Project strategy
  • Procurement
  • Programme recovery
  • Budget control
  • Stakeholder coordination

The results...

The Jewry Wall Museum reopened to the public in June 2025. Visitors can now experience 2000 years of history through 1000 Roman artefacts and exhibits featuring cutting-edge AV technology.  
 
Pulse’s close work with Leicester City Council, and the use of our industry capability to navigate challenging circumstances, was recognised at the 2025 ProCon awards. The Jewry Wall regeneration was the winner of the Large Non-Residential Scheme of the Year award, and a finalist for the Regeneration Project of the Year award. 
 
Stepping in during a period of uncertainty, our team guided the restoration of this important cultural asset, creating a sensitively-restored inclusive space which brings ancient history to life with a modern flourish. 

Like to talk about your next project? Please get in touch with our Board Director, Lee Cantrill