Repairs planned for Barrow’s Nan Tait Centre ahead of council handover
Roof, chimney and window repairs are planned for the Grade II listed building ahead of its proposed transfer to two community charities.
Westmorland and Furness Council is set to make repairs to a building which it is set to dispose of.
It emerged over summer that the council intends to dispose of the Grade II listed Nan Tait Centre in Barrow.
A meeting of the council’s cabinet in July heard the prominent Abbey Road building is planned to be handed over to the community organisations which are currently based there, local charity Women’s Community Matters and arts charity Art Gene.
The council plans to dispose of it in a community asset transfer, which is the transfer of a publicly-owned asset, such as land or a building, to an organisation at less than market value or even at no cost.
Now, the council has submitted proposals for multiple fixes to the building.
They include roof repairs such as on the leadwork and chimney, the replacement of two first floor windows, plaster repairs and more.
A statement submitted by Align Property Partners on behalf of the council reads: “These works are required to address deterioration, prevent further moisture ingress, improve building performance, and ensure the long-term preservation of the building envelope and internal fabric.
“The works do not alter the building’s use, massing, footprint or architectural character.
“They are conservation-led repairs intended to preserve and enhance the building’s condition and appearance.”
The Nan Tait was originally built in 1903, designed by architects Woodhouse and Willoughby as a technical school before later being renamed.
The plan to pass it over drew criticism from Reform Councillor Hazel Edwards, who raised concern about how the charities would afford the upkeep of the listed building.
She said they ‘cannot be expected to maintain a listed building alone’.
But Councillor Andrew Jarvis, deputy leader and cabinet member for finance for the Liberal Democrat administration, said the community groups were interested in taking it over for the ‘greater flexibility, freedom and ability to restructure’.