Merchant House restoration in Launceston wins RICS heritage award

The Grade II* listed Merchant House, one of the oldest buildings in Launceston, was recognised in the heritage category of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Awards 2026. The structure, previously on the Buildings at Risk Register, suffered collapse, rot, beetle damage, failing leadwork and a deteriorating roof. During the first Covid‑19 lockdown a restoration project began, conserving historic joinery and decorative plaster, recording wallpapers, securing floors and restoring access to upper levels.

The project was honoured at the RICS UK Awards ceremony on 23 July in Bristol, where UK National Awards chair Kerry Gibbs praised the initiative for showcasing the impact of surveying on communities. Over 300 entries were received across twelve regions, and the winning regional projects will compete in the UK Grand Final on 22 October.