Contractors have now been appointed for a substantial internal Remodelling and Refurbishment project to the Brooklands Building, at QEGS Academy (formerly Queen Elizabeth’s High School) in Blackburn.
The contractor, B&G Sears Ltd, will commence building works on site in early April 2024.
The Brooklands Building was originally a Nursing Home, which was purchased by the school some 20 years ago. The existing internal arrangement within the building is not suitable for teaching, with tight corridors and small rooms. The building itself has also become extremely tired and outdated.
The school have been encouraged by Blackburn Council to increase the numbers of pupils on roll, so we assisted our client with reviewing various feasibility ideas to try to accommodate additional pupil numbers.
This feasibility exercise identified that the Brooklands Building was suitable for remodelling and redevelopment internally, including improving the general layout and creating larger classrooms, to accommodate the greater pupil numbers.
The proposed Remodelling and Refurbishment project entails a major wholescale refurbishment to transform the building into a modern day teaching block.
The works involve: the removal of internal structural walls, installation of steel beams, repositioning of staircases, complete internal remodelling and refurbishment, new internal finishes, new toilets, new kitchenette, new boiler plant and central heating system, full electrical re-wiring, new lighting, fire safety improvements, etc.
The disused second floor will also be brought back into use, and the basement will also be damp proofed and used as a plant room and storage.
Lea Hough have assisted our client from the outset, including reviewing feasibility ideas, providing budget estimate costs, then carrying out detailed design drawings, liaising with a Structural Engineer and Mechanical/Electrical Engineers, preparing a detailed specification/tender documentation, acting as Principal Designer under the CDM Regulations, obtaining Building Regulations approval, overseeing a tender process and achieving best value and competitive prices for our client, etc.
We have recently held a Pre-Start Meeting with the contractor and the client, with works due to start on site imminently.
It is intended that all works will be completed within a five month-contract duration, with the project due to be handed-over by the start of the new academic year in early September 2024.
We will provide further Project Updates as works progress throughout the summer months until handover.
