A new home for Derby City Council

The project, procured via the empa framework, since superseded by the Regional Construction framework, was delivered by Wates Construction.

The ground floor of Derby City Council House has undergone a major reconfiguration, in a significant project that sought to maximise the existing available space whilst keeping costs to a minimum. The completed building allows Derby City Council to deliver an improved range of services to local people, centralising a number of services in one location such as:

• The Department for Work and Pension’s Derby Jobcentre Plus;
• The brand new Riverside Library, which forms a key part of the Council’s strategy to develop a successful modern and sustainable service for library users;
• A redesigned reception with new interview rooms and a fully accessible meeting room.

Work took place on the live site across 48 weeks in six phases, with Wates ensuring that the Council was still able to operate with minimal disruption to day-to-day services as the programme took place.

Throughout the project, Wates engaged a local supply chain and provided training and employment opportunities for local people, aligned with SCAPE framework commitment to creating social value. This ensures that the Council House refurbishment will also leave behind a skills and economic boost for the city.

John Carlin, Business Unit Director, Wates Construction Midlands, commented: “Completing a refurbishment programme to a building that remains a live working environment always presents a challenge, but I’m very happy to say our team has been able to deliver this project ahead of schedule and with minimal disruption to the running of vital services. This is a project we’re very proud of, and I am sure that the new look Council House will prove to be a valuable addition to civic life across Derby.”

Victoria Brambini, Managing Director of SCAPE Procure, commented: “With the regeneration of this significant space now completed, it can continue to play a vital role of service provision to the community in Derby City. The improved working space, along with the collaboration of service provision with Jobcentre Plus, will deliver more efficient services for the community. Our commitment to delivering social value, which is embedded into SCAPE’s frameworks, also ensures that the project leaves a lasting legacy of positive outcomes for local people, by delivering skills and employment initiatives.”