When Cumberland Council set out to utilise a Heritage building in Cleator Moor into a modern coworking space, they needed an M&E partner who could navigate the complexities of working within such a structure. PSA was brought on board from the earliest stages to help deliver the Phoenix Enterprise Centre, a project that required careful balance between preserving the building’s character and meeting contemporary workspace needs.
LOCATION: Cleator Moor, Cumbria
VALUE: £1.7m
COMPLETED: 2025
SERVICES: Mechanical & Electrical Engineering
The main challenge lay in passing modern services through an existing structure without compromising its integrity. Through close collaboration with the design team and contractor, we found solutions that respected both the building’s history and the client’s vision. The result is a flexible workspace that honours its past whilst providing the facilities today’s businesses need, ready to welcome its first tenants in early 2026.
CLIENT OBJECTIVES
Cumberland Council wanted to transform a heritage building in Cleator Moor into a vibrant, modern coworking space. The building’s listed status meant every intervention needed careful consideration. Specifically, the council required an M&E consultant involved from Stage 1 through to completion, so that building services could be woven into the design from day one.
The workspace needed to deliver reliable heating, ventilation, lighting, and power. Equally important, it had to remain flexible enough to suit tenants with varying needs. Sustainability was also a priority. Solar PV was specified to reduce environmental impact, while all services needed to sit discreetly within the heritage setting, avoiding clutter that might compromise the building’s character.
OUR SOLUTION
PSA joined the project early, working alongside Day Cummins Architects and Thomas Armstrong Construction from the outset. Early involvement proved vital. It allowed us to plan service routes before construction began, avoiding costly changes further down the line.
The biggest challenge was routing cables, ducts, and pipework through a structure never designed for modern services. Consequently, every route required close discussion with the architect to find sympathetic solutions that protected significant features. We spent time on site identifying where beams, joists, and structural elements would allow us to thread containment through the building without causing harm.
Our scope covered full lighting and power distribution, heating and ventilation suited to a flexible coworking environment, data infrastructure for modern connectivity, and solar PV to cut running costs. Throughout delivery, ongoing dialogue with the architect ensured our technical solutions matched their vision for the space.
Our design covered:
- Complete lighting and power distribution throughout the workspace
- Heating and ventilation systems suited to a flexible coworking environment
- Data infrastructure to support modern connectivity needs
- Solar PV panels to reduce running costs and environmental impact
The process required ongoing dialogue with the architect to ensure our technical solutions aligned with their aesthetic aspirations for the space.
THE OUTCOME
The Phoenix Enterprise Centre was delivered on time and within budget. Building services sit neatly within the historic fabric, supporting modern workplace needs without overwhelming the building’s character. The project demonstrates that heritage and functionality can coexist. The centre opens to its first tenants in early 2026, giving Cleator Moor’s business community a workspace that blends historic charm with genuinely contemporary facilities.
Photos Courtesy of : Home – Phoenix Enterprise Centre
