A New Food Bank and Community Room for Co-op Academy Failsworth
Client name: Co-op Academy Failsworth
Project name: New food bank and community room
Sector: Education / community
Location: Failsworth Sports Campus, Manchester
No. of modules: 1 (12.0 m x 3.9 m)
Accommodation type: New portable cabin
Requirement
Co-op Academy Failsworth runs a food bank to support the local community. The existing facility, housed in an old anti-vandal unit, was no longer fit for purpose and could not provide the space or quality needed.
The Academy required a new building to deliver improved facilities for the food bank, including increased storage capacity for both dry and chilled goods, while also providing a flexible community space for local residents.
Portable Building Sales were selected for the project due to the successful relationship already established through sister company, Wernick Refurbished Buildings. Wernick had previously delivered a refurbished modular classroom block for the Academy, and the school valued the quality of work and strong working relationship.
This new project was based at Failsworth Sports Campus, located opposite the secondary school, and needed to meet both practical requirements and community expectations.
Solution
Portable Building Sales supplied a brand-new 40’ x 13’ portable cabin, specifically designed to meet the needs of the Academy and local community. The internal layout includes a food storage room, an open plan community room and a kitchenette.
The building was delivered to a high-quality specification to ensure long-term durability, security, and ease of use. It includes a robust plastic-coated steel exterior, security steel doors with a 10-point locking system and wrapped uPVC windows. A bespoke fencing arrangement and level-access path works were also incorporated to provide safety and accessibility. In addition, the facility was fitted with a CCTV system, as well as data and fire alarm systems fully integrated with the school’s existing network.
One challenge encountered was the presence of a large mains sewer running beneath the site. To avoid disruption, Portable Building Sales worked with United Utilities and the Academy to agree on an alternative building location that kept the project on track without compromising functionality.
The result is a safe, modern and purpose-built facility that enables Co-op Academy Failsworth to better serve its community through an improved food bank and versatile community room. The new space supports more than 40 local families each week, providing a vital resource for the area while also offering a welcoming venue for community events.
Client comment
The Academy decided in our plan that we need additional space and to house our alternative provision unit offsite using a modular building; we had seen numerous examples where this had proved to be a success.
We chose a modular building as it met our budget and enabled us to create a space on disused land. We went to tender on all three projects and Portable Building Sales were the successful bidder. All three buildings have met our expectations and beyond. This includes the personal touch, follow-ups, snagging, communication and site visits.
All external visitors have been very impressed, governors, staff and visitors. One of the buildings houses a food bank and community fridge, so over 40 families a week rely on it.
From the site visit in Hull to new site premises in York, we have felt very looked after. Our needs and wishes were met and the PBS team have demonstrated a real sense of partnership on each of our three projects.
I have recommended PBS to many external partners and to our Trust, which has over 39 academies, in the event of any modular buildings being procured in the future.
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