Delivering a new NHS community care facility within a live retail environment.
Delivering a new NHS community care facility within a live retail environment.
In early 2025, our team was appointed to deliver the full refurbishment of a former retail space at The Chantry Centre in Andover, converting it into a modern NHS care and consultation facility for Hampshire and Isle of Wight NHS Foundation Trust. The site, previously occupied by Scope charity shop, and Argos before them, was adjacent to the live Andover Health Hub – a fully operational clinical site delivering community healthcare and vaccinations. Our brief was to carry out comprehensive internal works across two floors, forming new clinical spaces, reception areas, staff zones, and accessible amenities – all while respecting the complex logistical constraints of working within an active shopping centre built in the 1980s, housing 50–60 busy retail units.
While the site itself was vacant and available for refurbishment, it was located immediately beside the live Health Hub, which remained in use throughout the works. This presented several challenges including managing noise, dust, access, and public safety in a shared environment. Additionally, the programme required a precise two-week shutdown of the Health Hub space for essential upgrades – a deadline that could not slip. On the first floor, we were asked to deliver working spaces for NHS staff including hot-desking zones, new offices, and updated staff facilities, all in an ageing commercial shell with legacy M&E infrastructure.
Project Scope
Ground Floor Refurbishment
• Formation of 12 new walk-in interview/meeting rooms, including two clinical rooms with IPS handwash units and pumped drainage systems.
• Creation of two new reception areas, requiring access across raised and lowered floor levels – resolved through bespoke steps and ramped access.
• Installation of new patient and staff DDA-compliant toilets, and a cleaner’s cupboard.
• Full internal fit-out including electrical systems, heating, lighting, ceiling grids, flooring, and patient-friendly environmental finishes.
• New air handling and air conditioning systems to meet clinical air quality requirements.
Health Hub Upgrade
• Within a strict two-week window, we undertook intensive refurbishment to the live Health Hub.
• Work was completed out-of-hours and over weekends to avoid disruption, with all systems commissioned and handed back successfully for Monday morning clinical use.
First Floor Works
• Creation of a new open-plan hot-desking area with associated M&E services and decorative finishes.
• Formation of new enclosed office spaces for managerial use and refurbished meeting/staff breakout rooms.
• Redecoration and flooring repairs throughout, including provision of air handling and heating services.
• Additional DDA toilet installed to support accessibility requirements.
Despite the challenges of a live retail and clinical environment, our team delivered the project within the agreed timeline. Weekend working, phased scheduling, and clear communication with NHS stakeholders and Chantry Centre management were key to keeping works on track and compliant with both health and safety regulations and NHS operational needs.
“They’ve been amazing. They’ve kept us up to date, they’ve changed things when we’ve seen it maybe not working quite well. They have been clean and tidy and very respectful for the fact that we have been open pretty much the whole time.”
Vikki Jolley – Hub Manager
The result is a fully operational, modern, and flexible NHS facility that enhances the local community’s access to healthcare. With clinical rooms, welcoming reception spaces, and improved staff areas, the space now supports efficient service delivery within a town centre location – repurposing a disused retail unit into something that truly benefits public health.
• Strip-out and conversion of disused retail unit
• Formation of 12 clinical/meeting rooms
• Reception area construction (access works included)
• DDA-compliant toilet facilities
• Out-of-hours refurbishment of Health Hub
• First floor hot-desking, office, and breakout areas
• Full electrical package lighting and small power
• Data and Wifi installation
• Fire alarm installation
• Air handling and HVAC systems
• Full fire protection package
• Flooring, lighting, plastering, decoration
