Former bank set to become remote working hub
A former bank building in Ballinasloe is set to begin a new life as a remote working hub and enterprise centre in 2023.
A contractor is being sought to convert the prominent Bank Chambers premises in Society Street into a remote working hub and enterprise centre, in a bid to cater for a shortage of co-working and enterprise space in the town. The original enterprise centre, developed by Ballinasloe Area Community Development Clg (BACD) is full, and there is limited modern dedicated office/hub type space in the locality at present.
The proposal, which was given planning approval during the summer, will see the 6,000 square foot premises being converted into a state-of-the-art remote working hub catering for more than 40 people, including six hot desks, 16 offices (with capacity for between one and seven people), three meeting spaces, one meeting room, canteen and toilet and shower facilities within the three-storey building.
Formerly a National Irish Bank, it was taken over by the Bank of Ireland in the late 1940s where it remained until 1993. Since then, it had been in private ownership before Ballinasloe Area Community Development Clg (BACD) purchased the building in 2021.
The not-for-profit organisation issued tenders recently for the refurbishment and conversion of what's described as the Bank Chambers building in Society Street in town, over an eleven-month period.
To be called the BEC Pulse Hub, the project will involve the refurbishment of the protected structure from ground floor retail and upper floor residential use into a multi-use enterprise centre and digital hub. The development will include demolition works to a rear extension, internal demolition, alteration and refurbishment work and external refurbishment to the front and rear facade and roof. Solar heating panels will be installed on the roof as part of the project and what's described as “general site improvement works” is planned for the rear carpark area.
It's envisaged that work on-site would begin in February of next year, with an indicative end date of December of 2023 listed in the tender documents. The project is supported by Just Transition.
Set up in 1999, BACD comprises of Ballinasloe Chamber of Commerce, Ballinasloe Credit Union, Ballinasloe Town Council, Creagh Community Development and members of the public, with the main aim being to create sustainable employment within the community and encourage investment in the town and surrounding areas.