One Stop Shop and Contact Centre, Town Hall, Bolton

Client: Bolton MBC
Contractor: G&J Seddon Ltd
Architect/Lead Consultant: Bradshaw Gass & Hope
Structural Engineers: Bradshaw Gass & Hope
Quantity Surveyors: Bradshaw Gass & Hope
Services Engineers: JR Book Ltd
Planning Supervisors: Bradshaw Gass & Hope
Value: £1.5million

The project was for the full refurbishment of the original Rates Hall, Cash Desk and offices of Grade 2* Listed Bolton Town Hall to create a new One Stop Shop Facility and Contact Centre.

The works were carried out in close consultation with English Heritage and involved the stripping out of a 1970s mezzanine, the original cash desks and some partition walls to create an open and inviting environment, capitalising on the full scale of the original rates hall. A curvilinear form for the new ‘insertions’ was used to retain fully the identity of the imposing original hall while giving a dynamic fluidity to the new facility. The new facility comprises a G2 ballistic rated cash desk and office with 5 service points, a general reception, 19 customer enquiry desks and 96 Contact Centre operator positions. Facilities for the disabled, public toilets and a baby change/ feeding room are also provided.