Plan for major upgrade of listed building housing one of Chesterfield's biggest employers is hailed as 'significant investment'

By Gay Bolton
Published 20th Oct 2022, 16:21 BST
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Plans have been submitted for a major makeover of a listed building near Chesterfield that houses one of the largest employers in the area.

Chesterfield Borough Council has received an application for the full refurbishment of Old Birdholme House on Derby Road, the headquarters of award-winning CCS Media, that employs 500 sales and service workers in its capacity as technology and IT supplies reseller.

Matthew Montague Architects, who drew up the scheme, said: “The time, costs and complexity involved in altering and upgrading a Grade II listed building should not be underestimated. You can’t cut corners with listed buildings; this project will be a significant investment for CCS Media.”

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The building has various small spaces, rooms and offices that underline its origins as a house. Historic records indicate that it was built in the 17th century and later became a mansion house.

Artist's impression of how an open-plan office Old Birdholme House would look under the scheme.Artist's impression of how an open-plan office Old Birdholme House would look under the scheme.
Artist's impression of how an open-plan office Old Birdholme House would look under the scheme.

Under its plans, the Derbyshire based architects aim to strike a balance between fulfilling the needs of the business and highlighting some of the building’s original features.

In its design and access statement to the council, Matthew Montague Architects (MMA) state that as lockdown came to an end CCS Media established a largely hybrid method of working. The statement says: “To overcome some of the barriers to home working MMA were instructed to prepare feasibility plans for how Old Birdholme House could be carefully adapted in order to facilitate this hybrid working. This would include flexible open plan office spaces, a variety of meeting room sizes and a large training room space within which up to 50 people could attend regular IT training courses.”

The scheme proposes creating the training room/conference facility on the ground floor. Historic chimney breasts on the first and second floor will be stripped back, character ceiling beams will be exposed in an open-plan office on the second floor, historic staircases and doors will be retained throughout. Electrical rewiring and the introduction of air to water Heat Pump technology are included in the proposals.

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Planners are expected to make a decision on the application in early 2023.

Artist's impression of how the layout of Old Birdholme House would look if the scheme gets the go-ahead from Chesterfield Borough Council planners.Artist's impression of how the layout of Old Birdholme House would look if the scheme gets the go-ahead from Chesterfield Borough Council planners.
Artist's impression of how the layout of Old Birdholme House would look if the scheme gets the go-ahead from Chesterfield Borough Council planners.

Multi award-winning CCS Media has been based in Old Birdholme House for more than 30 years and is one of the largest independent businesses of its kind in the UK. The company has a network of 13 offices and a warehouse and logistics configuration centre in Chesterfield.

In 2021 CCS Media was awarded two stars for Best Companies Outstanding to Work For and placed among The UK’s 100 Best Large Companies to Work For.

Related topics:Chesterfield Borough CouncilChesterfield