The original Whitworth community Hall had been burnt down in a fire in the early part of 2002. The local community spent 5 years lobbying local businesses, the Local Authority and the insurers, as well as continuing with their local community effort to raise funds for this magnificent replacement building. The end result is a real success story for the community.

Rossendale Borough Council signed up CLAW (Community Leisure Association Whitworth) as the key tenant / end user and underpinned the project by relocating the local council offices into the development, GMP also signed up as a tenant with a local GMP community police centre. Rossendale put the design and build tender out to competition, assisted by Tweeds. The tender process was a 2 stage tender and McGoff and Byrne emerged from the process as the preferred bidder for the project. The Client team had been particularly impressed with our portfolio of completed community based projects as well as our capabilities in both the Construction and Fit out sectors of the industry.

McGoff and Byrne lead the design team in this formal design and build project. We formed a close working relationship with the key stakeholders and involved all parties in the Integrated Supply Team (IST) meetings to ensure the stake-holders objectives were met. A multipurpose building has to function to suit the multiple tenants and the complexities of this, were met in the completed design. Another key factor was to develop the use of sustainable construction (where possible), high thermal performance and efficiency to result in low heating and maintenance costs. The fill ground on the site had to be remediated prior to the works commencing.

The building is traditionally constructed masonry with the use of locally sourced stone on vibro-piled foundations with ground bearing slabs, the roofs are trussed roofs with concrete tile. The main function suite features a 6 metre ceiling height with celestory windows and a fully functioning stage facility for Community functions. The council chambers are finished to a more subdued feel with oak panelling to the walls and the original Council chamber seating and benches. DDA compliance was also a key factor on this sloping site.

In consultation with the local community we invited and utilised the services of local tradesman and businesses, with local bricklayers, joiners and labourers deployed within and alongside our directly employed workforce. Local businesses also carried out some of the specialist trade functions for us, e.g piling, plastering electrical and decorations.

We have developed a healthy relationship with some of the fore-mentioned trade contractors and consultants used on this project.

A high class hotel / country club feel was the brief turned into reality. The local community are delighted with the end product and hosted a fantastic gala evening, with all the local dignitaries present, in the main function room to launch the completed Civic Centre.