Upgrade of Art Deco office block pared back

Town hall planners have approved the changes despite the fact the building is in a conservation area

Proposals to upgrade a historic town centre building have had to be pared back after developers found more damage than expected.

Work began in February to transform Blackpool's Art Deco Stanley Buildings into a modern business hub as part of a £7.5m investment due to be completed by spring.

A like-for-like replacement of faience tiles, which cover the upper floors of the building, had been proposed.

But the number of damaged blocks has been found to have more than doubled from the 99 originally identified to about 235.

Work began in February to transform the art deco Stanley Buildings into a business hub

Sandstone tiles will be used instead as a way of keeping down costs.

Town hall planners approved the changes despite the fact the building is in a conservation area.

A council report said "further survey work has identified that the building is in a poorer condition than previously appreciated" but the proposed sandstone alternative "is a good visual match for the Darwen Terracotta faience".

As the changes are higher up on the building, the switch will not be noticeable.

The report adds: "Whilst the use of an alternative block is unfortunate, this harm is considered to be less than substantial harm to the significance of the building or the conservation area.

"The public benefits of bringing the upper floors back into beneficial use and refurbishing the building to safeguard its’ future, outweighs that harm."

The scheme will see the Stanley Buildings, built in 1935, converted into 44 offices and meeting rooms with flexible co-worker space on the ground floor.

The building, which sits between Caunce Street, Church Street and Cookson Street, was designed by renowned borough architect John Charles Robinson, famous for former civic landmarks including Derby Baths and South Shore Open Air Baths.

Restoration includes roof replacement, installation of new windows to all upper floors, brick repair and render, and restoration and cleaning of exterior faience and mosaic tiles.

The project is being funded by a combination of £4.5m from the Town Deal, £2.8m from the council and £200k from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.