Extensive Refurbishment Gets Underway at Northam Burrows Visitor Centre

The most obvious and striking progress to date has been the removal of the existing roof alongside the removal of turf in front of the centre as work commenced on the levelling of the area where the modular café building will be installed. The very first job was to cut and roll the turf and move it to a temporary location where it will continue to grow until the building works are finished. The original turf will then be reinstated to continue growing around the centre once more at the end of the project.

In line with the environmentally friendly approach to the build as many materials as possible are being recycled. The salvaged materials include roof slates, LED strip lights, hand dryers, emergency lights, a hearing loop machine, a baby change table and a selection of sockets and network points. Many of these items will be reused for replacements and repairs on other Council properties.

As well as reinsulating the old centre to bring it up to modern standards the interior layout will also be updated. An important part of this is the addition of a fully accessible “Changing Places” room which will provide the enhanced space and equipment for people who cannot use standard toilet facilities and another much needed specialist facility for visitors to the Burrows. The changed layout will also allow for a separate teaching area alongside the main exhibition space which will be available to the many school groups that visit for environmental education sessions with the park rangers.

Councillor Cheryl Cottle-Hunkin Lead Member for Community, Culture and Leisure said:

“The new facilities on Northam Burrows will continue to play a vital role in educating visitors and future generations about the wildlife, history and culture of the area as well as providing an economic boost with the addition of a new café and much needed upgrade to disabled facilities. Very exciting and hopefully an opening we can all look forward to in the near future.”