New lease of life for miners’ institute

A historic North East community building is set to be restored and repurposed as a modern commercial workspace following the approval of redevelopment plans.

A century-old former miners’ institute near Sunderland will be brought back into use after proposals were unveiled to transform Enterprise House in Herrington Burn. 

The project has been announced by Building Design Northern on behalf of national driving school Pass n Go, with plans aiming to preserve the building’s heritage while creating flexible office space.

Originally built in 1926 as the Philadelphia Miners Welfare Institute, the two-storey red-brick building once served as a social, educational and cultural hub for the local coalfield community. 

Like many similar institutes across the North, it played a central role in community life before falling into disrepair in more recent years.

With planning permission now secured, the redevelopment will see the ground floor reconfigured to provide modern offices and meeting rooms, while the first floor will offer open-plan workspace, staff facilities and a mezzanine-level boardroom. 

External improvements will include cycle storage, landscaped areas and parking for nine vehicles.

The scheme will also include retrofit upgrades designed to improve the building’s performance and enable it to play an active role in the local economy once again.

Artist's impression of how Enterprise House will look following its redevelopment

Hannah Thompson, architect and CPD coordinator of Building Design Northern, said: “The building is a great example of a former miners’ welfare institute that once stood at the heart of many mining communities up and down the country. 

“Its strong character and facade exemplify the architectural design that was prominent and typical of the early 1900s, and we’re delighted to have been appointed by Pass n Go to design and deliver appropriate plans for this site.

“Our designs will retain, preserve and restore the building’s rich industrial heritage and many historic features including stone window surrounds, a large central focal window and other decorative elements both internally and externally.”

Looking to promote your product/service to SME businesses in your region? Find out how Bdaily can help →