The development of a community facility is the type of project which demands 100% reliability from a contractor. When an amenity is for public use, the stakeholders effectively include an entire village or town. There’s no room for error, inaccuracy or delay when so many people need it or depend on it.
Having gained a reputation for that all-important reliability, Ashfield have become a go-to contractor for community projects. Most recently we have been praised for our transformative work at the Welcome In facility near Horsforth and we have now secured another contract to redevelop a hub of neighbourhood life at Clifford Village Hall.
The building is a much-valued amenity and includes a main hall with a good-sized stage and large audience capacity utilised for sports, various concerts and regular productions staged by Clifford Drama Group. A smaller adjoining room is used for meetings by the Parish Council and many other Village groups.
Clifford Village Hall Committee have decided to upgrade the facility to enhance its capabilities in servicing all kinds of local events and activities. The brief included two key objectives: to expand the catering function and provide greater provision for people of restricted mobility. A + J Architects have followed the brief with a scheme which remodels the existing space and includes a single storey extension to the front and side. The current washroom facilities include male and female WCs, but this space will be reconfigured and extended to comprise new male, female and disabled WCs alongside baby changing room and a new storeroom.
The existing kitchen will increase in size and specification whilst benefiting from a new compartmentalised layout incorporating a preparation area, washing up area, cooking area and serving area. This will improve Clifford Village Hall’s efficiency in providing large-scale catering for community events.
Ashfield Director, Joel Ramsden, said:
“As with most community developments, it will be imperative to plan the construction to minimise disruption and complete the project within the agreed timescale to ensure that regular village events and activities can resume at the earliest opportunity. Ashfield are renowned for consistently delivering our briefs on-time and within budget – that’s why so many community groups turn to us to bring their investment to fruition.”
Councillor Owen Milligan commented on Ashfield’s early work on the development:
“The project has got off to a good start, and everyone is very pleased with the progress and the co-operation shown by your staff. It has taken a long time for us to reach this stage, but the Trustees look forward to a final completion of our visions, which I am sure Ashfield will provide.”