Homeless charity HQ getting £2.2m makeover

The Ancoats, Manchester-based headquarters of the poverty and homeless charity Mustard Tree is undergoing a £2.2m refurbishment.

Most of the work – £1.6m worth – is being carried out by Armitage Construction, which claims to be the oldest remaining family-owned building company in the North West.

The first phase of the building works, which is the core part of  ‘Big Rebuild’ of Mustard Tree, is scheduled to take 38 weeks.

Mustard Tree said it is innovating, re-building, expanding and upgrading the dilapidated warehouse, which is their Ancoats HQ, to make it fit for purpose and to ensure the charity is there for those most in need.

Armitage’s work involves the strip out and refurbishment of the existing building, including a new main entrance off Bengal Street, a complete refurbishment internally creating various usable spaces and improving the ground floor shop and loading bay, with a complete overhaul of the mechanical and electrical installations.

Andrea Armitage, director of Armitage Construction said: “We are delighted to have won this contract as Mustard Tree is such an active charity and has transformed the lives of so many people trapped in poverty or homelessness in Greater Manchester.

“Our head office is only minutes away from the Mustard Tree and we are passionate about all re-generation taking place in this area.”

Aileen Stirman, Mustard Tree’s development manager added: “The refurbishment is vital! We were working inside in hats and gloves in the winter trying to keep warm and had to erect tarpaulin and even sheds within the building to protect us from the badly leaking roof. Making the property fit for purpose will ensure that we can offer a growing number of choices under one roof, to help even more people to move away from chronic poverty and the threat of homelessness and, instead, to enjoy a full and fruitful future.”

She added: “A building that is bright and warm will be a huge step forward. Mustard Tree brings hope to people and we want our building to be as welcoming and uplifting as our service delivery.”

The Mustard Tree building and shop will remain in use throughout the refurbishment.