Unique ‘Big Purple Build’ project underway in Hull

Stakeholders from the ‘Big Purple Build’ in front of the scheme’s construction site

CONSTRUCTION work is now underway to create the UK’s first purpose-built Women’s Centre in over 20 years.

Hull-based construction firm Hobson & Porter is delivering the project on behalf of Winner, the Preston Road Women’s Centre ltd, known locally as the Purple House, and will undertake a nine-month programme of works at a new site in Hull’s Preston Road.

The project has been partly funded by a Reaching Communities grant from the Big Lottery Fund, and the charity has been running a fundraising campaign to raise the rest of the money towards the cost of the new, purpose-built centre.

Known as ‘The Big Purple Build’, the campaign has so far raised over £151,000 and will continue during building work to raise the additional amount needed to furnish the centre.

The building has been designed by architect Helen Smith, of LNS Partnership. Discussing the design process, Helen said: “We worked in collaboration with the Purple House team to understand their requirements and vision of what they wanted the new centre to look like. They had an idea of what they wanted, and we took this and created a design that was both unique and functional. We’re delighted to be involved in the scheme, which will provide fantastic support services to women in the area.”

Winner, the Preston Road Women’s Centre Ltd is a charity which offers advice, information and support to women from Hull and the East Riding, and in particular women and children who are experiencing domestic violence. Since it opened its doors in 2000, the Centre has helped over 5,500 families.

Staff and volunteers at the centre help women and children to rebuild their lives, providing safe housing, legal advice and support, training and development, and the opportunity to survive, thrive and realise their potential, away from the threat of violence.

The new Centre will house a charity shop, nursery, meeting and teaching rooms and more. It will operate with a low environmental impact to minimise ongoing running costs. The unique building has been designed to allow the different teams supporting women to work together and the relationships between these was key to the layout of the accommodation. The building was designed to have a ‘domestic’ scale whilst also being identifiable in the neighbourhood.

Ann Clarkson, Centre Coordinator for Preston Road Women’s Centre, said: “As our services have grown, we’ve outgrown our current space. We’re based in two pre-fab semis that have been knocked together, and although it’s served us well over the last 17 years, it’s no longer fit for purpose. The new building will increase the nursery space and double the learning space, as well as housing our legal service, Affordable Justice and all our other services.”

Dave Blades, Business Development Director for Hobson & Porter, said: “This is a fantastic scheme to be involved in which will have a huge impact on the local community. The existing Purple House provides wonderful support to women in the region, and the new site will provide a modern centre with an expanded provision of bespoke services to help women and families in need.

“As a family-run business Hobson & Porter is always keen to work on schemes which support the communities we serve, and The Big Purple Build is one which we are very proud to be involved in. We look forward to working closely with the Centre’s team and LNS Partnership throughout the lifecycle of the project.”

Gary Nichol’s, Hobson & Porter’s Site Manager on this project, said: “We’re delighted to be leading the construction of the Preston Road Women’s Centre. We look forward to working closely with the centre coordinator so that we have the best possible understanding of the many important uses of the building and the positive impact it will have in Hull.”