The renovations of High Pavement House, Sutton, have taken another step towards completion with the installation of photovoltaic panels on the roof.
The former DWP building on High Pavement, Sutton, is currently being refurbished by Ashfield District Council as part of the £6.27million secured from the Future High Streets Fund.
Despite a previous refurbishment in 2019 by a private investor, the building needed a considerable amount of work to bring it up to current building regulation standards.
Therefore, the Council is investing £3million into the renovations to ensure the building is fit for purpose for the next 30+ years, creating high quality facilities for communities and local businesses to benefit from. Energy efficient measures have been installed including air-source heat pumps, as well as insulation and the photovoltaic panels.
Plans for High Pavement House are to deliver a unique, bespoke Makerspace on the ground floor and basement which will allow users access to professional equipment and tools for woodworking, metalworking, textiles, printmaking, and other crafts. The first floor will house 14 modern office spaces available for start-ups, and established businesses to rent. An education hub will also operate from High Pavement House from spring 2024 focusing on vocational training courses.
The Makerspace is set to open early next year, whilst the office spaces will be available to rent from the autumn.
Cllr Matthew Relf, Executive Lead for Growth, Regeneration and Local Planning, said: “This is an exciting step in the project, seeing the cranes on site and the progress on the interior of the building is making it all feel real now.
“We can’t wait to open the doors and let people see what we’ve been working on. Whether you’re a maker looking forward to using machines and tools in the Makerspace, or an entrepreneur wanting your first office, there’s something for everyone.”
