It’s not uncommon for buyers to snap up properties in need of work if they fancy a challenging renovation, whether it be a house, a shop or even a barn.
But there’s one Salford dad who decided to take on one ambitious project after stumbling across the building online – an abandoned chapel in Swinton. Eddie Whittingham spotted the old Manchester Road Methodist chapel, which dates back to the 1800s, while searching for places to build a co-working office space.
The building – which he plans to call Ministry of Work – hopes to create a ‘city centre vibe’ workspace but located in the suburbs. It aims to be an affordable place to work for business start-ups, freelancers and the local community.
The workplace will include eight private offices, a dedicated content and podcast studio and a co-working space for up to 36 people.
Eddie, who lives in Urmston, purchased the building for £230,000 in 2021 and aims to have the building ready for use by summer 2023, with renovation works currently well underway.
“I had it in the back of my mind to create something that had a city centre look, feel and vibe but in the suburbs,” he said. “With Covid, that fast-tracked my thinking because I saw more people working from home. People crave a co-working environment where they have colleagues. There’s a need for it.
“I wanted to find somewhere a bit quirky and unusual, so I was keeping my eye out for available properties. I saw the church come up for sale and I recognise Swinton as an up-and-coming place. It has a great community and transport links, and I live nearby in Urmston.
“I saw it as a good opportunity and I bought it in 2021 with a view to convert it into a working space. I had to go through planning and start the work one the planning was confirmed.”
The church dates back to 1871 when a Primitive Methodist Society began to meet in ‘Swinton Bar Chapel’, which obtained its name because a toll bar used to cross Manchester Road nearby, according to Salford Circuit .
The building had been bought by Jonathan Gerrard, a Methodist who lived and worked locally. Because of his involvement, the chapel was often referred to as ‘Gerrard’s Chapel’. The chapel opened on January 29, 1871.
Work started on a new chapel – called Manchester Road Methodist – in 1891 and it opened in the November. A Sunday school was added in 1907 and in 1921 electric lights were installed.
In the 1970s, the Sunday school building was demolished due to dry rot. This was replaced by a smaller building which was used for Sunday school, monthly prayer meetings and midweek meetings.
In 2018, the congregation of Manchester Road decided it was time for them to cease to meet as a church. There was a weekend of celebration and a circuit service to mark the closing in March 2019.
Dad-of-two Eddie, 37, has a budget of around £600,000 for the project. “It had a church service 18 months to be being sold, but it was in need of a few restorations to make it sustainable,” he added.
“A lot of the interior was not fit for purpose, like heating. It was built in 1891 so there’s no insulation. We’re taking everything back to brick and renovating it from the ground up.
“The trick we’re trying to do is to keep its beauty and maintain its original features but bring it up to modern specification. We’re removed the gas supply and we’re powering it by solar panels.
“It’s my first renovation restoration project; I’m just a local business guy who wants to create something and save and old building but just make something that will be of use.
“It’s been a steep learning curve, but I’m just trying to do my best to do the building justice really.”
To follow Eddie’s progress, visit www.instagram.com/ministryofwork .
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