THE PUMP HOUSE
PROJECT OVERVIEW
Bansco was appointed principal contractor by Frisia Real Estate to complete the extension and refurbishment of The Pump House, a historic building on the site of the former Williamson's lino factory in Lancaster – transforming it into 35 modern student studios.
The scheme involved picking up part-completed works, with a full internal fit-out to create ensuite rooms, kitchens, corridors, service risers, and ground-floor communal areas including reception, kitchen, laundry, and TV room. Externally, the project completed windows, aluminium cladding, masonry, and a new steel/glass entrance foyer with membrane roof – preserving the building's heritage features while delivering contemporary, sustainable accommodation close to Lancaster University and the city centre.
CHALLENGES
- Restoring a historical building to high standards, ensuring original features like internal arches were retained and integrated with new upper floors
- Overcoming complex firestopping issues around internal arches and risers where I-beams were timber, requiring bespoke warranted details to achieve compliance
- Re-engaging the supply chain mid-project, sourcing new subcontractors where previous ones were unavailable, while maintaining momentum
- Delivering against a tight drop-dead date for September student intake, amidst re-pricing the scheme and finalising contracts without delaying handover
SOLUTIONS & APPROACH
Bansco adopted a collaborative, proactive strategy with early engagement and value engineering, working closely with the client and design team to navigate the part-completed site and ensure seamless completion under a fixed-price contract.
Key works included:
- Internal fit-out with timber frame construction, new floors/walls, M&E first/second fix (including fire alarms, entry systems), and high-standard decoration
- Bespoke firestopping solutions, collaborating with British Gypsum and Quilfire for warranted details around arches and risers
- External completions: windows, cladding, masonry repairs, and construction of the steel/glass foyer with membrane roof
- Phased programming with secure site access, welfare setup, and risk management to meet safety standards and the critical handover timeline
OUTCOMES & RESULTS
Completed on programme in 20 weeks with zero incidents, the refurbished Pump House achieved full certification and welcomed students for the September intake – providing essential high-quality accommodation in a sought-after location. Bansco's financial stability, experienced team, and supply chain management ensured budget adherence and heritage-sensitive delivery, supporting local education and regeneration.
A showcase of Bansco's expertise, even when challenged with mid-project takeovers: restoring heritage assets into functional modern spaces, overcoming technical challenges, and delivering under pressure for client success.
