Charity’s landmark progress on base

The architecture, design and project management practice has provided feasibility design and cost advice for the plan to transform Blenheim House for Carers Trust Fylde Coast Carers Centre.

The plans, prepared pro bono by FWP, are now available to view on the charity’s website www.carerstrustfyldecoast.org.

The scheme will go out to tender after consultations.

The charity was handed over the historic building on Newton Drive in the resort by Beaverbrooks Charitable Trust last month.

It has begun a £750,000 capital funding campaign to see its vision become reality and is hoping to raise £50,000 from the local community.

The building will be renamed Beaverbrooks House in honour of the charitable trust of the St Annes-based UK-wide family run jewellery retail group which purchased it.

Martin Whittle, partner at Preston-based FWP, said: “It’s a fantastic gift for the charity from the trust and we have been delighted to be able to help such a great organisation in the feasibility work for their new home.

“Carers Trust Fylde Coast Carers Centre does fantastic work in its community. It is an independent, local charity providing a range of services to support unpaid carers of all ages in the area.

“It is also celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, so these are exciting times for the organisation and a new home is just part of the plans for the future.

“We believe we have helped the charity come up with a vision for a base in the building that will help it achieve those plans.”

Charity chief executive Michelle Smith was amazed by the gift from the charitable trust. She said: “We’re going to make Beaverbrooks House shine as the jewel in their crown. It is a beautiful, historic landmark with great potential for us.”

Announcing the no-strings handover of the building Beaverbrooks chairman Mark Adlestone said: “We’re doing this because it’s the right thing to do, it’s that simple.”

The charity, which already helps more than 3,000 local unpaid carers, aims to reach up to 13,000 more ‘hidden’ carers in the area.

Blenheim House was originally built in the late 19th century as two semi-detached residences for the well-to-do – including a brewery chief and a former director 
of the Winter Gardens and Tower.