One of Huddersfield’s much loved town centre buildings is being given a new lease of life, thanks to Doyle Consulting Engineers, part of the Parsons Group. Work is underway to convert the former Thatcher’s furniture store into single occupancy flats to meet demand for town centre accommodation from the area’s growing student population.
Doyle has been appointed by the building’s owners, SKA, a family-run business which bought the building in early 2012 after Thatcher’s fell into administration. SKA will convert the listed building into 40-bed private student accommodation, with double beds and en-suite bathrooms.
A team of five consulting engineers from Doyle’s Huddersfield office have been working on the project to provide structural design and mechanical and electrical support. Work will soon be underway to renovate the building in time for the 2013/2014 intake of Huddersfield students.
Paul Fletcher, director of Doyle, part of the Parsons Group, said: “Although there is a student village three miles out of town there is also demand for student accommodation in Huddersfield town centre and the flats we are converting will offer the ideal solution for those looking for central accommodation.
“It is fantastic to work on such a beautiful building and help SKA to restore a much loved and iconic piece of Huddersfield’s history. This development will help generate income, create jobs in the local area, and provide high quality private flats to students.”