The renovations of High Pavement House, Sutton, have taken another step towards completion today with the installation of photovoltaic panels on the roof.

The former DWP building on High Pavement, Sutton, is being refurbished by Ashfield District Council as part of £6.27m secured from the Future High Streets Fund.

Despite a previous refurbishment in 2019 by a private investor, the building needed a considerable amount of work to bring it up to current building regulation standards. Now, the council is investing £3m into the renovations to ensure the building is fit for purpose for the next 30+ years, creating high-quality facilities for the community and local businesses Energy-efficient measures have been installed including air-source heat pumps, as well insulation and the photovoltaic panels.

High Pavement House will offer a unique, bespoke Makerspace on the ground floor and basement, which will allow users access to professional equipment and tools for woodworking, metalworking, textiles, printmaking, and other crafts. The first floor will house 14 modern office spaces available for start-ups, and established businesses to rent. An education hub will also operate from High Pavement House from spring 2024 focusing on vocational training courses.

The Makerspace is set to open early next year, whilst the office spaces will be available to rent from the autumn.

Coun Matthew Relf, executive lead for Growth, Regeneration and Local Planning, said “This is an exciting step in the project, seeing the cranes on site and the progress on the interior of the building is making it all feel real now. We can’t wait to open the doors and let people see what we’ve been working on. Whether you’re a maker looking forward to using machines and tools in the Makerspace, or an entrepreneur wanting your first office, there’s something for everyone.

Council leader Coun Jason Zadrozny added “Our plans for the district don’t stop here with High Pavement House, they are only the beginning. With our Towns Deal funding, UK Shared Prosperity Fund, and Future High Streets Fund we will reinvigorate our town centres, starting a cultural revolution. A shift to the future Ashfield, a place where businesses and people can thrive, a place of innovation and opportunities for all.”

If you are interested in renting an office space, email [email protected]

The council has already completed one project from the Future High Streets Funding: the renovation and transformation of the former Yorkshire Bank on Low Street, Sutton, into a café and catering workshop space. Improvement works to transform the derelict Fox Street site into a new market space and car park will be starting in the coming months.

Pictured are Dave Swift, contracts manager; Alex Slater, pre-construction director; Chris Ross, building surveyor; Katie Mills, project manager; Coun Matthew Relf; Jason Madely, senior site manager; Coun Jason Zadrozny; Theresa Hodgkinson, council chief executive; and Paul Crawford, Place and Regeneration manager.