Fire-hit canal side pub to be transformed into office space
A new canal-side office with virtual reality suite could replace a Chorley pub which became an eyesore after being ravaged by fire five years ago.
Kingswood Homes has acquired the former Grill and Grain, at the Boatyard near Hoghton, from Thwaites Brewery.
The homebuilder has submitted plans to demolish what remains of the fire damaged building and replace it with a two-storey office.
Paul Jones, managing director of Kingswood Homes, said: “While other businesses are perhaps closing offices or at least downsizing, it’s important for our business that as we grow, we have we space where our staff can come together and collaborate as a team. We’re happy for people to work from home, in the offices of our development sites or at our headquarters. Moving to the new office will enable us to accommodate our growing workforce in support of our growth plans offering somewhere the different parts of the business can share ideas.
“We didn’t want to simply take on the lease of a bland business park building – we wanted a new headquarters that represents, encapsulates and celebrates our core values. The location of the former Grill and Grain is perfect for us as we have several sites within easy reach and so we’ll also be able to use the new office as a central hub to support the customer journey.”
Subject to planning, Kingswood’s new home will offer 12,000 sq ft including the original annex, which will in time be used as a design studio.
During the last 12 months, Kingswood welcomed new starters in almost every department and set up a new engineering department. The business now directly employs 42 people.
In the next financial year (April 2022 – March 2023), the company is set to build 150+ homes in the year 2022-2023 and is targeting turnover of £40m. As part of its continued growth plan, the business is aiming to increase its output to 250 homes within the next few years.
It is anticipated that Kingswood will move into the new office in 2024. The company owns its current base in Little Hoole, which will be released for sale in mid-2023.
Kingswood Homes is currently building at Green Hills in Feniscowles and The Hawthorns in Elswick, Lancashire, and at The Market Quarter in Hatherleigh, Devon. The company also has plans for 79 new homes in the Lancashire village of Hoddlesden.
In the 12 months to March 2021, the end of Kingswood’s last financial year, the business more than doubled the number of homes built a year – increasing from 36 homes in 2020 to 77 in 2021, with a further 50% increase forecast in the current financial year.
The increased output led to turnover increasing by almost 50% from £18m in 2020, to £23m in 2021, with a forecast of almost £34m for the current financial year.
