The Client Brief
Spectrum, a well-established charity supporting vulnerable adults in Northampton, approached our builders in Northampton with an exciting vision to create a new community café in Duston. As a learning disability centre, they needed a trusted partner who could navigate the unique requirements of working within their sensitive environment while delivering a complete transformation of their existing premises.
The original building consisted of offices at the front with a single room at the back. Spectrum wanted to create a welcoming, open-plan café space that would serve their community while maintaining essential office functions during the transition. They needed a construction partner who could manage every aspect of the project from planning through to final fit-out, with all contractors DBS checked due to the nature of their work with vulnerable adults.
What We Did
We provided Spectrum with our complete end-to-end construction service, working closely with our architectural partners to develop drawings and secure planning permission for the transformation.
The project was carefully orchestrated across two phases to minimise disruption. Phase one involved converting the rear room into modern office space, allowing us to relocate their existing operations. Phase two transformed the front space into a bright, open-plan café through the addition of a new extension.
Our comprehensive approach included full project management, coordinating every trade and supplier efficiently. We handled the complete café fit-out, installing everything from commercial kitchen equipment and lighting systems to flooring and interior finishes. The only elements we didn’t install were the specialist coffee machines, which Spectrum sourced directly.
Recognising the sensitive environment, every team member underwent DBS checks before entering the site. This attention to safeguarding requirements demonstrated our understanding of working within spaces that support vulnerable adults.
After four months of construction, the café opened in April 2025 to tremendous success, providing Spectrum with a beautiful new space to serve their community. If you have a similar refurbishment project in the pipeline, whether it be commercial or residential, we’re here to help. Contact our builders in Northampton today to discuss how we can bring your ideas to life.
