Warden has completed a major refurbishment project for Manchester City Council’s Family Time Service at Acorn House in Withington and Belthorne Children’s Centre.

The Family Time Service supports supervised contact for children, parents and carers involved in social care. Acorn House and Belthorne Children’s Centre serve as two of the locations for these sessions.

We delivered the £2.4m project through the North West Construction Hub Low Value Framework, upgrading the facilities across both sites to create a better experience for visitors and staff.

Each building now features up to ten new family rooms, office areas, kitchens, outside play areas and improved toilet and changing facilities.

Works across both sites included roof replacements, insulation upgrades, rewiring, heating improvements, new windows and doors, landscaping, and fencing works, as well as internal refurbishments throughout.

Ian Williams, managing director of Warden, said: “Acorn and Belthorne is a really meaningful project for us at Warden because it shows the impact that well-designed community spaces can have on people’s lives.

“It was important to us, the Council, and Family Times that the finished spaces feel safe, welcoming and accessible. The improved facilities will support people through some incredibly important moments, while also future-proofing public assets that play a vital role in the community.

“It has been a complex refurbishment programme that involved phased delivery across live operational environments, but our team has stayed focused on delivering the best outcome for the people who use these spaces every day.”

Extensive structural strengthening works were required, alongside replacement flooring, drainage upgrades and the construction of new parking and external areas.

Acorn House also included accessibility improvements such as level access, along with the demolition of the garage block and wider external reconfiguration.

The phased programme, which began in May 2023, allowed services to continue with the Acorn House team temporarily relocating to Belthorne while works were carried out.

Jaime Cepeda, project lead at Manchester City Council, added: “Warden’s diligence and collaborative approach were key to the successful refurbishment of these vital community facilities.”

Warden is bringing the spirit of Christmas to Manchester once again as it commences work on the city’s world-famous Christmas Markets.

Each year, the Manchester Christmas Markets attract millions of visitors from across the UK and beyond, transforming the city centre into a festive destination filled with food, craft, and celebration.

Marking its third consecutive year working on behalf of Manchester City Council and North West Construction Hub, our specialist teams will be delivering the project ahead of the grand opening on Friday 7 November.

The programme of works is extensive, with operations running 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The scope includes organising deliveries, managing mechanical and electrical installations, coordinating crane lifts, installing and removing fencing, and overseeing full traffic management to maintain the safe flow of people and vehicles throughout the city.

This year’s installations will span a record ten locations, covering Piccadilly Gardens, Market Street, Cathedral Gardens, Exchange Square, Corn Exchange, New Cathedral Street, Exchange Street, St Ann’s Square, King Street, and Albert Square.

Ian Williams, managing director at Warden, said: “The Manchester Christmas Markets are such an iconic part of the city’s festive season, and we’re incredibly proud to once again be part of delivering them.

“It’s a demanding and logistically complex project that really highlights the teamwork, expertise, and dedication of everyone involved. From our site managers and electricians to our traffic management partners, each team plays a crucial role in creating something truly special for the people of Manchester.”

The professional team for the installation includes WMB Installations (electricians), Arena Group (fencing), and Go Traffic Management (traffic management).

To celebrate the opening, Warden will host a client event in central Manchester, bringing together partners and stakeholders who contribute to the success of the markets each year.

Warden has completed work on the installation of the annual Manchester Christmas Markets, setting the stage for the festive season across the city.

With this year’s markets completed on schedule, visitors can look forward to exploring an array of stalls, enjoying festive activities, and seasonal treats.

We completed the installation for the second consecutive year on behalf of Manchester City Council and North West Construction Hub.

Ian Williams, managing director of Warden Construction, said: “We’re delighted to have been involved with the setup for Manchester’s iconic Christmas Markets for the second year running.

“Our team worked hard to ensure that each site across the city was prepared safely and efficiently, so visitors can enjoy the festive experience without a hitch. It’s a privilege to be part of such a beloved event in Manchester.”

The Warden team successfully oversaw the erection of all market stalls and features, including the installation and removal of Heras fencing to ensure a smooth setup process for structures and the delivery of materials.

Traffic management measures were implemented to support safe delivery routes, minimising disruptions in the city centre and carried out in coordination with the council to allow seamless operations alongside other seasonal activity.

The professional team for the installation included WMB Installations (electricians), Arena Group (fencing), and Go Traffic Management (traffic management).

The markets opened on Friday 8 November and will remain a central attraction until 22 December.