Holyhead Market Hall receives RICS Social Impact Award
Purcell are delighted that the newly renovated Holyhead Market Hall in Wales has received a RICS Social Impact Award which illustrates the building’s direct positive social and environmental impact on the local community.
Our team transformed the once derelict building into a flexible space complete with library, archive and Local History Centre. The project safeguards the historic building’s future and has transformed it into an enterprising building in the heart of the town.
Funded by the National Heritage Lottery Fund and European Reginal Development Fund, Purcell have reimagined the once derelict Holyhead Market Hall into a spacious public space to house the town’s library and local collections.
Purcell’s redesign also includes an area within the hall for exhibitions which explore Holyhead’s local history. The hall will soon have a new coffee space adding to the atmosphere of the building which has already become a buzzing community centre, increasing educational and economic opportunities in Holyhead.
We carried out a feasibility study and business analysis at the beginning of the project to assess the most appropriate future uses for the building. The study led to the development of a scheme which would repair the building's historic fabric and allow the insertion of a new library with supplementary commercial space in addition to a Local History Centre.
— Senior Architect, David Clifton
Throughout the project our team worked hard to preserve the building’s heritage, retaining as much of the historic fabric as possible whilst providing a modern interior suitable for its new uses.
The RICS Social Impact Awards are nationally recognised and illustrate the impact that the built environment has on communities, at both a regional and national level. The awards assess the social and environmental impact reimagined architecture has on people’s lives.
Winning a regional award for Wales, Holyhead Market Hall has helped provide the town with a central hub and has resulted in increased community spirit and educational opportunities.
Our team worked hard to keep the local community involved in the process by facilitating tours and workshops throughout the project.
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Environmentally, the team have added solar thermal [AM1] and PV panels to the roof, helping to heat and power the building, along with a lot of environmentally friendly insulation. The building is also fully accessible and features a Changing Places toilet facility, which is accessible to those with learning and physical disabilities.
