Diocesan HQ for Blackburn complete
THE major refurbishment of the Diocese of Blackburn’s office has been completed by architectural and planning practice Cassidy + Ashton.
The 9,000sq ft, two-storey office block underwent extensive internal reconfiguration and modernisation to create a new home for the Diocesan office.
The 12-week project was delivered by Edward Dewhurst and incorporated a series of carefully-arranged glazed partitions throughout the open plan space, comprising meeting rooms, a staff kitchen and break-out areas.
Whitespace Consultants carried out a detailed space planning exercise, designed to meet the exact needs of the users and provided fit-for-purpose office furniture to achieve a comfortable and attractive working environment.
The move follows similar out-of-town relocations in recent years from the Diocese of Chester.
Alistair Baines, chairman at Cassidy + Ashton, said: “There’s been a sharp rise in the take-up of out-of-town locations not just with North West-based Diocese but across the commercial property market as a whole due to a shortage of space.
“Our priority was to create a modern office environment that meets the changing nature of Blackburn Diocese and its staff and ensures the longevity of the building.”
Rt Rev Julian Henderson, bishop of Blackburn, added: “Having a fit-for-purpose base for all our hard-working staff is important so that we can effectively support our parishes and schools as we all work together to grow God’s Kingdom in the coming decade.
“I am extremely grateful to all those who have worked so hard in bringing the work on this building to fruition.”
The Diocesan offices, full name Diocese of Blackburn: The Church of England in Lancashire, serve parishes and church schools across the whole of Lancashire.
