Bland, Brown + Cole were appointed in September 1985 to convert St Luke’s Church for shared use between its own congregation and that of the neighbouring Victoria Road United Reformed Church.

The converted church is also available to local organisations, including a playgroup and group for disabled people, and as such the finished building has become a successful community centre.

The scheme, which involved the introduction of a new first floor and northern extension, the clearing away of derelict buildings to the west of the site and a new west front with staircase and lift tower, obtained planning approval in June 1986.

The design aim in terms of the exterior was to reinforce the Church as an important local building with a clear statement of renewal in the form of the west front – an object that can almost be said to have been slid into place like a huge piece of furniture, and which relates to its neo-classical references and to the nature of the demolished United Reformed Church.

At the same time, the original entrance, the integrity of the tower and the south and east facades have been left relatively untouched, with only a widened door to the south which provides an alternative route directly into the worship space.

We also added a new porch in 2006.