Henry Brothers starts work on £8 million police station refurbishment
Magherafelt-based contractor, Henry Brothers, has started work on a 16-month scheme to refurbish Stechford Police Station in Birmingham.
This is the first major refurbishment of the building since it was opened in the 1970s and involves creating additional parking, upgrading safety and security systems, modernising office and meeting facilities, upgrading refreshment and toilet areas, providing a bespoke locker room, new victim care facilities, and an expansion to the public contact office, as well as new lift installations to make the whole building fully accessible.
It is the second project that Henry Brothers is currently undertaking for West Midlands Police Authority, and follows start on site last month for a £9 million refurbishment at Wolverhampton Police Station.
Both were awarded to Henry Brothers under the Pagabo Refit and Refurbishment Framework.
Managing Director of Henry Brothers Construction, Ian Taylor, said: “As a company that regularly works with blue light clients, Henry Brothers is very pleased to have been appointed on this scheme to improve Stechford Police Station. Better facilities will help West Midlands police to provide vital services for the local community and the people who live there, and we are proud to be playing a part in making that happen.”
The police station will remain open and fully operational throughout the building work.
Henry Brothers will employ local people including apprentices, ploughing money back into the local economy.
Cash for the £8 million critical works comes from West Midlands Police Authority making better use of its estate, reducing energy consumption and other cost savings that have made the authority more efficient and more effective, such as the introduction of robotics to automate administrative processes including artificial intelligence to answer all non-emergency calls.
The refurbishment will deliver better conditions for victims and witnesses, provide officers with a modern workplace, and safeguard the long-term future of the building.
Chief Constable Craig Guildford, added: “These essential works represent a major investment in policing in east Birmingham and this building. Every penny will be spent wisely, with local businesses and local people benefitting from this injection of cash into the local economy.
“Stechford has one of the busiest public contact offices in the West Midlands. That’s why the work will see that part of the building expanded to increase the waiting area and counter space.”