Alderley Edge Festival Hall and Medical Centre, Cheshire

Located on the periphery of the Alderley Edge Conservation Area, this new building had to be sensitive to the surrounding character and history of the site whilst still creating a visual focus at the head of Stamford Road. The improved facilities at the newly refurbished Festival Hall have made a hugely positive contribution to the local community.

Date

2015

Client

Alderley Edge Parish Council/ Emerson

Value

£2.2m

The project consisted of two distinct requirements; the refurbishment of and extension to the 1920’s Festival Hall and the completion of a new build GP surgery to the front of the existing Hall. Alderley Edge Festival Hall was originally constructed in 1927 to be the home of a local music festival. The building is locally listed and regarded as a main community facility, positioned in a central part of the village.

The Medical Centre was a new build following the demolition of the front part of the Festival Hall which was unused and in a rapidly deteriorating condition. The new build replacement was designed to reflect the style and materials of the existing without slavishly copying the era. The new medical centre provided 19 consultation/treatment rooms, a pharmacy, minor surgery room and offices creating better accessibility and facilities.

The Festival Hall itself received a full internal refurbishment, new build entrance and support facilities to the side, new mechanical and electrical services, removal of the existing stage and installation of a new bar and kitchen.

The Challenge

The Medical Centre proposal was to support a local GP practice to relocate to a modern facility. The existing surgery suffered from poor access and was outdated for present day medical requirements.

The Solution

An agreement was reached to relocate the Medical Practice to the front area of the Festival Hall site. Accommodation for an improved surgery required the demolition and replacement of the existing unused frontage whilst the main part of the hall behind it was to be retained and refurbished.

The Outcome

The benefits of this development were numerous, and this is reflected by the extent of the community support that has been expressed in favour of the scheme. The finished result has lead to two, modern facilities which are fully accessibility to all members of the public and better met the needs of the local groups they serve.