William King Construction delivered the full renovation of the former Whitehaven News offices, transforming a prominent local landmark into a modern, accessible community and civic space for Whitehaven Town Council.
Client: Whitehaven Town Council
Architects: PHP Architects (North East)
Completion: 2025
Location: Whitehaven, Cumbria
• Full internal strip-out and reconfiguration
• Structural alterations to accommodate new layouts
• Installation of a new lift and accessibility upgrades
• Fire safety, M&E upgrades, and modern building services
• Careful restoration of retained architectural features
William King Construction delivered the full renovation of the former Whitehaven News offices, transforming a prominent local landmark into a modern, accessible community and civic space for Whitehaven Town Council.
The project required a sensitive balance between heritage preservation and modern functionality, ensuring the building retained its historic character while meeting contemporary standards for accessibility, safety, and usability.
The building presented structural and sequencing challenges typical of older commercial properties. These were addressed through:
• Early-stage investigative works
• Adaptive problem-solving on site
• Close coordination with the design team and building control
Local specialist subcontractors were engaged where appropriate, reinforcing the project’s community focus and ensuring specialist heritage skills were applied.
The completed building now serves as a revitalised hub for community use and local governance — preserving Whitehaven’s character while providing a practical, inclusive space for modern civic needs.
“Projects like this show what’s possible when you bring together local expertise, pride in craftsmanship, and respect for a town’s history. It’s about more than restoring a building — it’s about creating spaces with purpose again.”
— William King, Director
