A building conservation specialist has been awarded a multimillion-pound contract to start work on the first project in the regeneration of Leamington Spa's Old Town.
Cannock-based Croft Building & Conservation has signed a £4.2 million contract with regeneration specialist Complex Development Projects to restore and convert three derelict buildings in Spencer Yard into office space for creative and digital businesses.
The largest building is the grade II-listed United Reformed Church built in neo-classical style in 1838.
Enabling works have been recently completed which have fully restored the roof in advance of the main conversion works which will create new modern offices while retaining the heritage features of the building, including stained glass windows and cast iron gallery columns.
The plans also involve refurbishing the adjacent former nursery to provide flexible creative space with a new ground-floor extension at the rear of the premises and a rooftop terrace overlooking the church.
On the opposite side of Spencer Yard, the Crown Building, once the home of camouflage designers, is being extended with a new second floor to provide six units for smaller businesses. The scheme has received a grant from the Government's Future High Streets Fund.
Croft Building & Conservation is Warwick District Council's regeneration partner in the ten-year ‘Creative Quarter' initiative which is regenerating the Old Town's to create a destination for businesses
Katie Burn, senior development executive at Coventry-based Complex Development Projects, said: "Signing the contract with Croft Building & Conservation is a big milestone in the Creative Quarter initiative and it is exciting after years of preparation to be finally delivering projects.
"These buildings have been sitting there unused for decades and their restoration would not have been possible without the firm partnership with Warwick District Council and the grant they have secured from the Future High Streets Fund. We expect to be completing the first of the buildings in the summer of next year."
Ollie Chance, director of Croft Building & Conservation, said: "We are extremely proud and excited to be part of such an important project for Leamington Spa, Warwickshire and the wider Midlands.
"It's always great to see these unloved urban spaces re-purposed, bringing a new lease of life while also preserving the heritage on site. A great community space for creatives."
Warwick District Council leader Cllr Andrew Day said: "This imaginative partnership has broken through and enabled an innovative scheme to come forward for this long-overlooked heritage precinct.
"The major investment being made will encourage our exciting, world-class creative and digital businesses to flourish, bringing hundreds of new jobs and putting some sparkle back into our town."
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