Wesley Chapel renovation – a unique training opportunity!

The once-derelict building is being transformed into a boutique 36-bedroom venue for weddings and other large events and is on course to open early next year.

All of its heritage and historic features, including the brickwork and windows, are now fully restored and repaired, and other completed works include:

• Installation of partition walls in the main building and annexe.
• First fix mechanical and electrical works to the bedrooms.
• Formation of the sample bedroom & agreed finishes to the bedrooms.
• Works to incorporate the ventilation system.
• Fire compartmentation works to the upper floors.

Next steps include:

• Mechanical and electrical second fix works to bedrooms and corridors.
• Second fix joinery & decoration works.
• Preparation of the kitchen areas ready for fit-out.
• Bar and event spaces preparation works in readiness for fit out.

The £3.8m project - £1.4m is being provided through the Hartlepool Town Deal with the remainder being invested by owner Jomast - is creating opportunities for young apprenticeships through its close links with Hartlepool College of Further Education. Five apprentices are currently working on site – two directly with Jomast and three others with sub-contractors. Another is due to start in September.

Apprentice joiner Owen Pounder (centre) with Hartlepool Town Deal Board Chair Darren Hankey and Councillor Pamela Hargreaves, Chair of Hartlepool Borough Council's Economic Growth and Regeneration Committee

Joiner Owen Pounder who is on a placement with Jomast, said: “Working on this project has been an amazing experience because it is hard to come across work like this. Timber windows are an example. You never see them on a development these days because they are normally uPVC. The guttering is also completely bespoke. The skills I am learning here are going to help me so much in my future career.”

Councillor Pamela Hargreaves, Chair of Hartlepool Borough Council’s Economic Growth and Regeneration Committee, said: “The progress being made is incredible. On previous visits the building has very much been an empty shell, but we are now starting to see how it will look when it is complete. We are currently investing around £150m across a range of major capital projects and it is nice to see this piece of the puzzle coming to fruition.

“It is also great to hear how Owen personally is benefitting from this project because regeneration is not just about the physical renovation of buildings. As a council, we are striving to make sure that all of our major capital projects provide opportunities for skill development, training and work experience.”

Darren Hankey, Chair of the Hartlepool Town Deal Board and Principal of Hartlepool College of Further Education, said: “This whole project is a fantastic celebration of technical skills, and I am delighted to see how the apprentices are playing a key role in that. I’d like to thank Jomast and their sub-contractors for making this possible.”