Sector: Construction

Advisory services, Construction

Heritage restoration for a visitor attraction in Newhaven

Partner: Eastbourne & Lewes Council
Project value: £7.5m
Completion: February 2025

Rejuvenating one of the South Coast’s most important historic sites

Clear Futures has supported Lewes District Council in delivering a restoration project at the historic Newhaven Fort, which has seen it protected and upgraded to a more accessible, sustainable and dynamic visitor attraction.

154
year old site
12 month
project

Project scope

• Extensive repairs and restoration of the heritage fabric.
• Health & safety and environmental improvements.
• Visitor amenity & guest experience improvements.

Strategic support to boost tourism

Clear Futures provides strategic support to Eastbourne & Lewes Councils. One focus of our partnership is on developing sustainable tourism that will benefit the area over the long term.
Funded by UK Government, the grant funding secured by Lewes District Council, has delivered a transformational refurbishment to restore and enhance Newhaven Fort, which is a Scheduled Monument, so that it becomes a community asset and a key part of Newhaven’s future as a popular visitor destination. The project aims to attract visitors and enhance the visitor economy, strengthening the town’s position as a gateway to the South Downs National Park.

Saving heritage buildings

Described as the most important military structure on the Sussex coast, the fort had been closed for 12 months for the refurbishment, and the four guns facing out towards the sea had been out-of-bounds for four years. Some areas could not be accessed due to safety concerns, and there was a risk of losing some of the buildings entirely after exposure to severe weather.

Originally built in 1871, it operated as one of a series of coastal defences in both world wars, before becoming a visitor attraction in the 1980s. Today it is operated by Wave Active, who are custodians of the site, its buildings and its valuable collections, as well as provide learning experiences for schools.
This restoration has been vital to this historic site.

Delivered by local businesses

Eastbourne & Lewes Council’s partnership with Clear Futures gives them an approved, expertly managed local supply chain, allowing projects to progress quickly when the time is right.
For this project, local SME, HOP Consultants were onboarded to provide structural engineering services, bringing their expert knowledge and experience of heritage structures on the south coast.
The project was delivered on site by Pilbeam Construction, a local supplier who used local materials and their tried and tested local supply chain where possible.

Sustainability

The improvements at the Fort, such as the new visitor centre, exhibition space, escape room and passages, were upgraded with modern energy efficient equipment, significantly improving the sustainable credentials of this historic attraction.

Revitalised and reopened to visitors

The café, entrance, shop and office have been refurbished, and a new bespoke adventure play area installed, creating an attractive and welcoming environment for tourists and local visitors alike
Two gun emplacements, the battery command post, and the Romney hut have been refurbished, along with the ‘casemates’ – vaults underneath the ground – and exhibitions within them.

The gun emplacements had been closed in 2018 due to safety concerns, but can again be accessed by the public, allowing them to explore the lower end of the Fort. Open for the first time ever is the passage to the Battery Observation Post, which was used by officers to spot enemy targets and relay the information to the four gun positions.

Our Partnership with Lewes & Eastbourne Councils

Eastbourne & Lewes Council’s partnership with Clear Futures focuses on developing long-term sustainable outcomes for the area. To date, the partnership has centred around in-depth strategic support, including research into decarbonising the social housing stock and supporting the development of their Local Plan

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wide angle photo of the downs looking down towards the town of eastbourne
Overcoming funding challenges to provide for the SEN community
Advisory services, Construction, Education

Refurbishing 3 SEN schools in Liverpool

Partner: Liverpool City Council
Project value: £19m total project value
Completion: September 2023

Clear Futures and Liverpool Council have worked in partnership to refurbish SEN schools at pace to provide modern learning spaces for young people with special educational needs.

Challenge: maintaining essential SEN education

In 2023, it was identified that Liverpool’s SEN schools were in urgent need of refurbishment, with a shortfall in places available in the City. The Council faced a significant funding challenge if education for these children couldn’t be provided within the city by September 2023.

Fast tracking delivery of SEN schools for 2023

Clear Futures worked with the council’s education team to prioritise immediate needs and fast track the delivery of three SEN education projects.

At Millstead School, Clear Futures’ Tier 1 supply chain partner, Seddon Construction was quickly appointed, thanks to the Clear Futures strategic partnership that was already in place, to cost-effectively design and install temporary modular units to accommodate 40 extra pupils in September 2023, while fully redeveloping an existing mothballed building for a future intake of 72 pupils.

Image of interior of refurbished special educational needs school in Liverpool with toys and play items

Palmerston School has also been refurbished by Seddon to provide an initial 40 places for 14-to-19-year-olds, while a full redevelopment to accommodate a total of 60 pupils in the future, is carried out. Bank View South School, on the site of the former Parklands School has been refurbished by Robertson Construction to provide 60 places for 11-to-16-year-olds. Further works are planned to fully redevelop the school and accommodate 60 more places per year for a total capacity of 300 pupils

140
SEN school places
3
SEN schools refurbished
£25-30m
funding risk avoided

Outcome: major funding risk avoided

Delivering these three key projects means that SEN education and care is provided for children close to their homes, once phase 2 is complete.

As a result, we have mitigated a potential risk of financial penalties and cost for the travel, specialist teachers and carers and other expenses to provide education for these children outside of the city boundaries, that would have been Liverpool City Council’s responsibility.

Considered analysis and financial projections, in consultation with the council, calculated that £25-30m has been saved by providing these SEN places in Liverpool, compared with the cost of educating 110 SEN pupils for 5 years outwith the Borough, that would have been Liverpool City Council’s responsibility. 

Long-term social impact

Clear Futures develops partnerships with purpose, focusing on long-term outcomes that drive real change in a community. As part of this, we have made a commitment to provide a one-to-one mentoring programme to change the lives of teenage girls who need support.

In addition, we provided targeted activities and support in the local area, with a focus on developing the careers of young people in Liverpool, including:

£5,950
COMMUNITY SUPPORT
266 hours
EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS
98 weeks
WORK EXPERIENCE & APPRENTICESHIPS

Our strategic partnership with Liverpool

Clear Futures and Liverpool City Council began working together to deliver education projects at pace to provide modern learning spaces for local young people. As our partnership develops, we will explore opportunities to drive net zero action and provide strategic support to the Council to support local key priorities.

Learn more about our partnership
Liverpool City Council logo in partnership with Clear Futures
Transforming a derelict building to boost the town centre business community
Commercial, Construction

Creating a town centre innovation hub in Bolton

Partner: Bolton Council
Project value: £9.9m
Completion: Autumn 2024

The Wellsprings

Clear Futures has breathed fresh life into a large vacant and disused 1980s Bolton town centre building –  converting the seven-storey structure into a modern and vibrant innovation hub.

The Wellsprings is on the way to becoming a new and valuable mixed-use environment, offering retail, commercial and event space in the heart of Bolton Town Centre, for our partner Bolton Council.

7
storeys
6,111 m2
GIFA
45/45
CCS score

Creating a vibrant space for business

Perfectly located in the heart of the town centre, The Wellsprings now provides a modern and highly flexible working environment, creating an innovation hub for Bolton’s business community. 

A new home for emerging start-ups with accelerator programmes, and an ecosystem offering small suites from four up to 36 people is located on the upper floors, The Wellsprings provides meeting and collaboration facilities, ranging from auditorium and seminar spaces to podcast studios and video conferencing booths.

To make Bolton Council’s plans a reality, our Tier 1 contractor, Robertson, carried out demolition works, replacing the roof, and upgrading the heating, cooling, ventilation, lighting, and telecoms services.

Robertson also added new flooring, decoration, and furnishing throughout, replaced all windows, and constructed a bar, booth seating, and modern and flexible workspaces, creating an inviting and attractive environment.

The project achieved a maximum score of 45 when assessed by the Considerate Constructors’ Scheme and assessed against three categories: ‘Respect the Community’, ‘Protect the Environment’ and ‘Value their Workforce’, going on to win Silver at the CCS National Site Awards.

Our strategic partnership with Bolton Council

Clear Futures and Bolton Council have been working in partnership since 2019 to boost the town centre’s role as a key player in the Greater Manchester economy. This is coupled with a wider aspiration to attract more high-growth companies that will create the additional jobs, knowledge, skills and technology needed to compete in a global economy.

See what we’ve achieved

Improving outcomes for the people of Bolton
Construction, Regeneration

Bolton Library refurbishment

Partner: Bolton Council
Project value: £4.4m gross project sum
Completion: 2024

Bolton Central Library has undergone a £4.4m restoration and refurbishment to provide new creative and cultural spaces that modernise and adapt the building to meet changing user requirements and serve the wider needs of the community.

Strategic partnership to benefit Bolton

Through a strategic partnership with Bolton Council, Clear Futures ensured the project met their requirements, provided value for money, and was delivered within programme and budget. 

Clear Futures supported the Council in securing Levelling Up funding and procured a Tier 1 contractor. Acting on behalf of the Council, Clear Futures managed the development of the designs, cost plan and program during preconstruction; as well as managing the construction phase, and co-ordinating practical completion and handover activities.

Transformational works to respect heritage

The transformation, carried out by Robertson Construction North West has seen the Library refurbished to its original splendour.

Built in the 1930’s and part of the wider Bolton Museum, Archives and Aquarium, the parquet floor has been returned to its former glory, with new period lighting and decoration reflecting to its heritage background.

Works also included: 

  • new digital facilities,
  • fully equipped café and a refurbished seating area with bespoke joinery,
  • children and young people’s library space with dedicated areas according to age,
  • Changing Places facility,
  • and additional mezzanine floor.

Delivering improved outcomes

Bolton Library’s new modern space has been designed  to build on the core deliverables of book borrowing and computer use, while offering flexible space for a wide variety of organisations like community groups, businesses, artists, performers and others.

It will increase long-term life opportunities for residents by embedding health, digital skills and reader development as part of its operational business plan.

Significantly more footfall is expected, and people’s perceptions of the town centre are rising. The library service has already seen a dramatic increase in usage since reopening, with new and old visitors being attracted from a wider demographic. The new café area is supporting footfall not just to the library, but to the museum and aquarium as well, and is becoming a focal meeting point for local people and visitors.

Social value integrated

£554.6k
social value delivered
87 weeks
training opportunities
17
local people employed

Tier 1 contractor Robertson drove social value activities that were designed to meet the needs of the local community, including several activities, which led to a Bronze Award from the Considerate Constructors’ Scheme regional awards:

17 people employed locally,

87 weeks Training opportunities,

£5,000 of community support,

154 hours educational sessions

Benefits for people and place

The transformational change of Bolton Library will now make a huge contribution to people and place, providing inspiration and entertainment that promotes interaction and cohesion, to attract both new and repeat visitors from a wide range of demographics and socio-economic backgrounds.

Regeneration is not just about bricks and mortar, it is about improving the lives of our residents by offering better services, experiences, and opportunities. The newly renovated Bolton Library is a perfect example of this, creating a modern, versatile, and welcoming space that offers something for all ages.

Cllr Akhtar Zaman, Deputy Leader, Bolton Council

Our strategic partnership with Bolton Council

Clear Futures and Bolton Council have been working in partnership since 2019 to boost the town centre’s role as a key player in the Greater Manchester economy. This is coupled with a wider aspiration to attract more high-growth companies that will create the additional jobs, knowledge, skills and technology needed to compete in a global economy.

See what we’ve achieved
New opportunity for the local community of Bolton
Construction, Regeneration

Bolton Market extension and refurbishment

Partner: Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council
Project value: £4.2m (contract value)
Completion: 2023

Bolton Market has benefited from an extension and partial refurbishment to create a new food hall to house independent traders. It now offers a wider variety of stalls, appealing to younger shoppers and creating a space where people can meet and socialise in the evenings, which previously was not an option in the area.

This project will help improve the area for local people. The ultimate aim is to increase both the number of visitors and the amount of time they spend there. Designed to bring the community together.

Keeping the market operational throughout

Seddon endeavoured to make sure all 150 existing vendors could continue to trade at the market as live works continued on site for a 12-month period. Maintaining operation was made possible through the good relationships Seddon has with Clear Futures, the local council and the market manager. Teamwork and collaboration were key to the completion of this project.

A three-phase project

Works on Bolton Market were completed across three phases:

  • Phase 1 – construction of the outdoor market
  • Phase 2 – construction of new food hall extension
  • Phase 3 – partial refurbishment works on the market including new entrance areas, external signage , internal lighting, fire alarms and redecoration.
The food hall in the newly extended Bolton Market
A group of people involved in the extension and refurbishment of Bolton Market pose infront of the completed project
£1.325m
social value delivered
£1.118m
MSME spend
15
local people employed

Seddon drove social value activities that were specifically targeted to provide impact needed in the local community. Of the £1.325m delivered, here are some highlights:

  • 32 weeks of training opportunities for local people
  • 30 hours supporting unemployed people into work
  • 185 volunteering hours provided to support local community projects
  • 151 employees from MSMEs (micro, small and medium enterprises) given access to wellbeing programmes
  • 29 hours of expert business advice provided to VCSEs (voluntary and community sector enterprises) and MSMEs
  • 15 local people for the duration of the contract
  • £10k of community support

Delivering improved options for local people

The 48-week programme comprised of a new outdoor market, and partial refurbishment to create a new food hall to house independent food vendors and seating for members of the public in Bolton. This will give a variety of new and diverse food options to choose from in a space designed to bring together the community. Existing traders were overjoyed with the new facility and said the overall experience was extremely positive.

  • 150 market vendors, all maintained operation throughout
  • Bolton Market is a hub of the community
  • Teamwork and collaboration were key
  • New opportunity for local community
  • Delivered on time and in budget

Bolton’s award-winning market is one of our best town centre assets, offering quality local products at great prices. As we modernise the town centre, we want the market to adapt to meet the changing needs of customers. Having more people living in the town centre will make it a more vibrant and attractive place .

– Councillor Martyn Cox, Leader of Bolton Council

Working in partnership with Clear Futures

Seddon is a Tier 1 contractor appointed to Bolton’ Council’s strategic partnership with Clear Futures. A key aim of the partnership is to generate value to the local economy. Seddon is a Bolton-based business, and a significant number of the workforce on this project are based within the Bolton postcode, which meant they had a sense of pride in completing the project.

Our strategic partnership with Bolton Council

Clear Futures and Bolton Council have been working in partnership since 2019 to boost the town centre’s role as a key player in the Greater Manchester economy. This is coupled with a wider aspiration to attract more high-growth companies that will create the additional jobs, knowledge, skills and technology needed to compete in a global economy.

See what we’ve achieved
Creating support and opportunities for adults with learning disabilities in Bolton
Construction

Transforming adult care in Bolton

Partner: Bolton Cares Ltd and Bolton Council

The Jubilee Centre is a new state-of-the-art day centre that will transform adult care services in Bolton.

Clear Futures worked in partnership with Bolton Cares Ltd and Bolton Council to deliver the project. It replaces outdated facilities, providing vital support and improving opportunities for adults with learning disabilities across the town.

Our Tier 1 contractor, Robertson delivered the new facility, working with local stakeholders to maximise opportunities for the local community during the project’s delivery.

£3.11m
social value delivered to Sept 2022
6.5
local people employed (FTE) on site
£3.57m
spent with local supply chain

The flagship centre was designed with the help of service users and their families, and includes:

  • Hydrotherapy pool
  • Therapy rooms
  • Changing rooms
  • Social areas to include café areas.

The Jubilee Centre project, delivered through Clear Futures, sees our on-going positive relationship with Bolton Council continue, not only to deliver exceptional facilities for the local community but also through enhanced social value. Our work with the local supply chain is ensuring economic benefits from the project are kept local to bring further enhancement to the immediate and surrounding areas.

Beth Santangeli, Senior Business Development Manager, Robertson Construction

Our strategic partnership with Bolton Council

Clear Futures and Bolton Council have been working in partnership since 2019 to boost the town centre’s role as a key player in the Greater Manchester economy. This is coupled with a wider aspiration to attract more high-growth companies that will create the additional jobs, knowledge, skills and technology needed to compete in a global economy.

See what we’ve achieved
Grow-on space for NETPark’s science and tech entrepreneurs.
Advisory services, Commercial, Construction

Strategic Delivery for Durham’s NETPark Phase 3

Partner: Durham County Council

North East Technology Park (NETPark) is one of the UK’s top science, engineering and technology parks, supporting innovative and potentially high-growth STEM businesses on their journey from concept to commercialisation.

Current facilities are world-class and include two catapult centres and three national innovation centres. The Phase 3 development provides 433,800 sq ft of new space which is geared at existing and prospective tenants on the cusp of scaling up their operations.

By creating the right environment for growth businesses at NETPark, the Phase 3 development will deliver highly-skilled employment opportunities and attract inward investment to the area.

Durham County Council appointed Clear Futures as a strategic delivery partner to provide the expertise and additional resource needed to drive the project forward. Acting as project manager for the scheme, we turned the initial project strategy into a solid and successful business case for Business Durham and Durham County Council and have continued to support them through delivery. 

Building occupant needs into the masterplan

Early in the project, we explored ways to build on the success of existing facilities on the science park, looking at everything from wellbeing and connectivity to delivery and distribution facilities. We engaged with tenants to hear first-hand their views on NETPark as a location for their business, their growth plans and need for space, and how that space should be configured. Creating a sustainable design within a healthy, sustainable environment was a clear priority.

Image by Ryder Architecture

The masterplan, designed by Ryder Architects, creates a holistic campus environment defined by high-quality, distinctive and flexible buildings set in a pedestrian-friendly parkland environment. Unit sizes vary and sit alongside a hub building, ancillary facilities, landscaping, sustainable drainage systems and parking.

NETPark building illustration
Image by Ryder Architecture

During design development, we worked with the council’s carbon and sustainability team to ensure the design proposals factor in net zero and BREEAM building standard ambitions and policy, with the expertise of T&T Carbon team.

Ongoing strategic support

Withi the project having been initially accessed through Durham County Council’s strategic partnership with Clear Futures, we supported them by procuringd the design team and leading design to RIBA stage 4. Thereafter Clear Futures provided cost management and project management services -acting as employers agent under the terms of an NEC3 contract – providing a valuable expert resource to Durham CC when they needed it.

Phase 3 gets planning permission
Building capacity at Ladybridge High School through sustainable development
Construction, Education

Ladybridge High School extension

Partner: Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council
Project value: £4.5m
Completion: 2020

The £4.5m expansion of the Ladybridge High School gives the school capacity to take on an additional 150 pupils and is one of the borough’s secondary schools redeveloping buildings to meet the rising demand for school places.

Instead of constructing a new building, the extension was delivered by reusing an existing and under-utilised building on site. The works have improved the fabric of the building, structural issues and upgraded electrics – bringing economies of scale and savings to the Council, and creating a vibrant environment for teaching and learning.

Driving economic, social and environmental benefits

During the project the Clear Futures team worked with Ladybridge High School and community organisations to maximise the reach and impact of social value activities, with outcomes including:

£842,571
in social value
99.28%
waste diverted from landfill
32
apprenticeship weeks

“The site demonstrates continuous improvement, particularly in relation to collaborative working with the school, supporting the community and H&S which were exceptional. Respecting the community is judged as exceptional. The site is projecting the scheme’s core objectives, promoting local opportunities and the offer of support to individuals and community groups.

– Considerate Constructors Report, January2020

  • 20 local people employed.
  • 3 weeks of work placements for local young people.
  • 40 hours of career activities for high school students.
  • 960 car miles saved through sustainable transport.
  • 112 hours of mental health training for employees and workforce.
  • Donated excess site materials to the school farm and helped pupils build animal shelters and animal exercise equipment.
  • Helped students make Christmas trees out of old pallets that were sold, with all profits donated to Bolton Hospice.
A flagship restaurant for a prime seafront location
Advisory services, Construction

The Wish Tower Restaurant, Eastbourne

Partner: Eastbourne & Lewes Councils
Project value: £2.25m

The Wish Tower Restaurant replaces a former café and adjoining sun lounge on the seafront near Eastbourne Pier. Built in the early 1960s, the café had been a popular visitor attraction. However, through poor upkeep and its coastal environment, the structure fell into disrepair and was no longer fit for purpose.

The site needed a more sustainable building, and one which allowed the adjacent 19th century Wish Tower monument to remain the dominant structure.

In December 2017, and following insufficient progress from the council’s previous partner, Clear Futures was asked to take on the project development and delivery of a new seafront restaurant with an affordability cap of £2.25m. We conducted a due diligence review of the scope definition, design work, sufficiency of the cost analysis and identification of project risks and viable solutions. This allowed us to confirm the project parameters, and give the council confidence of a design and construction programme aligned to their timeframe and budget.

Following a rigorous supply chain selection process, we appointed a local Tier 1 supply chain construction partner who guaranteed to maximise use of local SME subcontractors and suppliers to deliver the project.

Wish Tower restaurant images courtesy of Sunninghill Construction Co Ltd

Completed in 2019, the new waterfront eatery is operated by Bistro Pierre. Designed with respect for the local heritage, the dramatic roof form makes a bold statement, while extensive use of glass provides transparency and spectacular seafront views. Complete with external decking areas, the development marks a fantastic improvement to the highly visible public realm and a reason in itself to visit Eastbourne.

Wish Tower restaurant images courtesy of Sunninghill Construction Co Ltd

The new build Wish Tower Restaurant is a great example of Eastbourne Borough Council using its land to create a visitor destination, and initiate employment opportunities and local economic activity in a sustainable way.

More case studies

Our Partnership with Lewes & Eastbourne Councils

Eastbourne & Lewes Council’s partnership with Clear Futures focuses on developing long-term sustainable outcomes for the area. To date, the partnership has centred around in-depth strategic support, including research into decarbonising the social housing stock and supporting the development of their Local Plan

Read more
wide angle photo of the downs looking down towards the town of eastbourne