Novus writes a new chapter for former town hall

Property maintenance specialist, Novus Property Solutions, has recently completed work converting a Grade II* listed former town hall into a modern academy building in Stoke-on-Trent.  

The grant-aided refurbishment project, which involved a complete reimagining of the space to turn the former town hall into a new sixth form centre for Haywood Academy, was overseen by a team from Novus’ Stoke office over approximately 16 weeks.  

Located in the heart of the Burslem conservation area, all works had to be carried out to a conservation standard and were closely monitored throughout the process by Stoke-On-Trent City Council’s conservation officers. Historic repairs, restoration and refurbishment, including works to the timber sash windows, fabric repairs and stone work repairs were carried out in order to preserve the character of the building.  

While the exterior was carefully restored and preserved, the interior of the former town hall has been refitted to create a space perfectly suited to a modern academy. The team installed a new infill floor to the existing mezzanine, glass partitioning, new internal walls, sanitaryware appliances and new light fittings as part of the project.  

Novus bid manager, Matt Harnett, said: “Working around the constraints of a listed building is challenging at the best of times, but when you add a conservation area into the mix, the parameters become even tighter. The team like a challenge and all worked hard to balance the restoration of the original building around the installation of new elements of the design to create the new academy building, which is now light and welcoming.”