Now earmarked for an extensive makeover having last been used as offices, Building Design Northern (BDN) – an architectural, structural/civil engineering and project management practice, has, on behalf of national client and UK driving school, ‘Pass n Go’, announced visionary plans to transform ‘Enterprise House’ in Herrington Burn.

Built in 1926 and known in its day as the ‘Philadelphia Miners Welfare Institute’, the impressive building is a traditional, heritage-rich site, the type of which was scattered across northern mining towns during the last century. They became the heartbeat of many coalfield communities as popular meeting, social and educational venues as well as libraries.

Having now received planning approval, designs for the two-storey building include new commercial space with modern offices and meeting rooms on the ground floor, as well as open-plan facilities and staff amenities to the first floor including a mezzanine-level boardroom.

Externally, bike storage and storage areas, car parking for nine vehicles and landscaping will complement the functional yet creative designs.

Hannah Thompson of Building Design Northern, explained: “The building is a great example of a former miners’ welfare institute that once stood at the heart of many mining communities up and down the country. Its strong character and facade exemplify the architectural design that was prominent and typical of the early 1900s, and we’re delighted to have been appointed by Pass n Go to design and deliver appropriate plans for this site.

“Our designs will retain, preserve and restore the building’s rich industrial heritage and many historic features including stone window surrounds, a large central focal window and other decorative elements both internally and externally.”

Enterprise House will benefit from extensive renovations and retrofit upgrades, enabling the building to once again play an active role in the local area.

During the height of Britain’s industrial period, miners’ institutes were mostly operated by miners’ groups who offered a proportion of their wages into a welfare fund to support the construction, maintenance and general running of the buildings.

Enterprise House (formerly Philadelphia Miners’ Institute and Hall) still has its original red brick, stonework and asymmetrical frontage and is regarded by many as a non-designated local heritage asset.