An historic council-owned building in Stockport has been refurbished to provide modern offices for community-based adult social workers.
Salford-based MC Construction has completed a project which has created new office space on the first floor of Gatley Hill House, a former public library on Church Road, Gatley.
The Georgian mansion house, built in the mid-18th century, houses a community centre on the ground floor which the council rents out for meetings and social events.
The first floor had been vacant for years but has now been brought back into use as office space for around 40 social workers covering Gatley, Cheadle and Bramhall, who are relocating from other existing offices around the borough.
Jo Smith, construction lead for Stockport Council, said: “Thanks to the successful completion of this project, the team has a much better and bigger working environment and will be able to operate more effectively.
“It is pleasing to bring the first floor of Gatley Hill House back into use, while also carrying out improvements to the ground floor for the benefit of the wider community.
“The works carried out by MC Construction have preserved and significantly enhanced the condition of the building in a manner that is sympathetic to its heritage, which is extremely satisfying to see.”
MC Construction undertook a programme of external and structural works as well as an internal revamp of the two-storey building, which is set in parkland and lies within the Gatley Village Conservation Area.
The project included the installation of a new roof, windows and rainwater goods, underpinning, interior partitions and doors, new mechanical and electrical systems, a refurbishment of the kitchen and washrooms, new office access and fire alarm systems, a rewire, and decoration. Original features were repaired and refurbished wherever possible.
Electric vehicle charging points have been installed in the grounds as part of the scheme.
David Lowe, managing director of MC Construction, said: “The project has greatly modernised a lovely historic building which was in need of significant repair, leading to an improved appearance, restoring the first floor to good use, improving the energy performance of the building and positively benefiting the environment with the installation of electric vehicle charging points.
“I’m extremely proud of our team who worked on this scheme, which truly showcases our expertise in sympathetically and successfully updating and regenerating heritage buildings.
“Alongside our own staff, we were delighted that all of the contractors appointed to work on the project were located within a 30-mile radius of the building, ensuring a significant sum went back into the local economy and once again demonstrating our commitment to adding social value to the work we undertake.”
