Plans to improve customers’ facilities at the Civic Centre, Carlisle have been given the final go-ahead.
Carlisle City Council’s headquarters were flooded in 2015 and the council prioritised other building repairs before making plans to improve the Civic Centre.
Major repairs were undertaken on hostel accommodation, Bitts Park play area, The Sheepmount Stadium & Athletics track and other council properties.
Plans are now in place to undertake reinstatement and development of the Civic Centre’s ground floor. This includes the demolition of the two-storey Octagon annex that currently includes the Council Chamber. Once demolished this space will be replaced with additional car parking spaces.
A new Customer Contact Centre and flexible, resilient meeting space will be developed in the ground floor of the main building. This will have better access and will provide improved facilities for customers and visitors to the Civic Centre. Flood resilient measures will also be put in place, and the layout will incorporate a dementia-friendly design.
The new Customer Contact Centre will replace the temporary portacabin that currently is the base for face-to-face customer services.
Cllr Gareth Ellis, Deputy Leader of the Council, presented a report about the Civic Centre works to a virtual Council meeting on Tuesday, 5 May.
Cllr Ellis said: “The Civic Centre refurbishment is the last stage of flood recovery works and will provide better access and better use of the space within the ground floor of the building. It’s much needed improvements and cannot be delayed any further.”
Story Construction has been appointed the lead contractor for the £3.6 million project and will start work this summer with works planned to be completed in summer 2021. The majority of funding for the scheme will come from the council’s flood insurance settlement plus other existing council resources and an invest to save scheme.
Leader of Carlisle City Council, Cllr John Mallinson, said: “We’re delighted that a local contractor has been appointed to do the Civic Centre reinstatement works. During these uncertain times we have every confidence that they will undertake the work following the government’s safe working guidelines. We want to do all we can to support local businesses and this contract will provide a boost to the local economy.”
Emma Porter, Managing Director, Story Construction added: “We are looking forward to working on this project to give Carlisle back a Civic Centre that is welcoming and fit for purpose. We were there in the immediate aftermath of the floods helping with the emergency clean ups and so are delighted to be involved in the completion of this project. As a local company, it is encouraging to see our city council planning for the future. We have worked extremely hard to develop new ways of working that protect our people on site and the public and will ensure that all works are carried out with this as a priority.”
The decision to give the final go-ahead to the Civic Centre refurbishment was taken a virtual Full Council meeting held on Tuesday 5 May. All 39 Carlisle City Councillors took part in the meeting.
