Work starts on multi-million pound facility

A Shropshire building contractor has marked the official start of work on a new £2.1m facility for a leading animal charity in Wrexham. 

Pave Aways, which is based in Knockin, has begun the first stages of construction for the new Cats Protection adoption centre in Bradley Road, which was previously home to North Wales Fire and Rescue Service. The redundant fire station had been vacant since 2016 and Pave Aways has already demolished the existing building in preparation for the state-of-the-art rehoming centre.

The scheme will replace the charity’s existing facility at Madeira Hill and include a 380m2 single storey building with external freestanding cat pen buildings, landscaping and associated infrastructure. The build, designed by Stockport based Bowker Sadler Architecture, is scheduled to take 40 weeks.

The Cats Protection contract will provide a boost to the Wrexham economy with Pave Aways using local sub contractors and suppliers from its approved supply chain wherever possible.

The project is the latest in a series of construction contracts in Wrexham and North Wales for Pave Aways. The firm, which has its Welsh headquarters in Benjamin Road, Wrexham, is currently carrying out a £2.25m roofing contract for Wrexham County Borough Council and will complete an extension to The Elms in Rhosddu Road for the Betsi Cadwaldr University Health Board in March. Other on-going schemes in Wales including a £1.1m scheme of alterations and improvements to Ysgol Gynradd in Carno.

Pave Aways also recently handed over a 5,500m² production and warehouse facility for Invertek Drives at Offa’s Dyke Business Park, Welshpool, on behalf of the Welsh Assembly; completed the remodelling, extensions and internal alterations at Corwen Health Centre; and projects at fire stations in Llanidloes and Llanfair Caerinion for Mid Wales Fire and Rescue Service.

Managing Director Steven Owen said: “We are delighted that work is under way on this exciting scheme. This is a significant project for Wrexham and Cats Protection and we look forward to delivering the charity’s vision.”

Catherine Hodson, capital project manager for Cats Protection’s property team, said: “Cats Protection is very pleased that development is now underway and are looking forward to being able to home an increased number of cats and kittens once the new adoption centre is fully operational.”

Pictured: Cats Protection capital project manager Catherine Hodson and Pave Aways construction director Jamie Evans