Appendix 1  Chronology of events

Date

Event

1990

Production of "Strategy 2000"

1991

Selection of Clarence Dock, Leeds as the new museum's site. The Department require the funding of the new museum to be provided, in part, by the private sector

1992

 

March

Approval for the establishment of a new museum in Leeds; appointment of Schroders as financial advisers

May

Schroders' report "Financing of Leeds project"

July

Treasury approval of contribution of £20 million to construction costs of new museum

1993

 

March

Schroders' initial briefing memo issued to potential bidders

June

Withdrawal of Tussauds Group

December

Contract signed with RAI

1994

 

January

Construction of new museum started

1996

 

March

Museum opened on time and to budget

December

Gardner Merchant ceased to be the operator of the new museum

1997

 

February

First re-financing

June

Berkeley Group selected as the developer for the redevelopment of Clarence Dock

December

National Audit Office identification of the need for a risk assessment

1998

 

July

Schroders' risk report to the Armouries; second re-financing

1999

 

July

The Armouries' options appraisal report; the signing of the revised agreement with RAI

2000

 

January

PricewaterhouseCoopers "Royal Armouries Recovery Report" produced for the Department; completion of the handover of the museum from RAI to the Royal Armouries

February

Outline planning permission granted for the Clarence Dock redevelopment

March

Redevelopment agreement signed with Berkeley Group