Constructor delivers dining hall revamp at top school

THE £800,000  refurbishment of a new kitchen and dining hall at Bolton School has been completed by Preston-based Conlon Construction.

Designed by architectural and planning consultancy Cassidy + Ashton, the project included the full revamp to the existing 6,500 sq ft facilty to provide capacity for a further 270 pupils in the Girls’ Division.

The work forms part of a multi-phase improvement programme at Bolton School, with Cassidy + Ashton previously designing the new £5m Girls’ Junior School, £5.2m Infants’ School and award-winning £7m Riley Sixth Form Centre, as well as refurbishing and extending the Junior Boys’ School.

Lawrence McBurney, associate architect at Cassidy + Ashton, said: “The aim was to make best use of the space and refurbish to a high standard. The end result is the provision of a better dining experience for both pupils and staff.”

“It has been a pleasure working with Bolton School once again, with the project not only building on our excellent education credentials but forming a greater lasting legacy between the practice and the independent school.”

Michael Conlon, chairman at Conlon Construction, added: “Bolton School is one of the most well-known and highly respected schools in the North West.

“That, along with the heritage of the buildings and fixed-time constraints, made this one of the most challenging yet prestigious school projects we have delivered this year.

“Rather than working whilst the school was operational, the whole refurbishment was undertaken during the summer holidays meaning a nice surprise for pupils as they returned to a superb new dining facility for the autumn term.”   

Mrs Cathy Fox, clerk and treasurer at Bolton School, said: “I really like the light and perception of more space it has brought to what was previously a dark, long and thin room.”

The existing Grade II-listed buildings at Bolton School were the result of an architectural competition in the 1900s.