The Coliseum, Morpeth | Commercial Building Conversion & Refurbishment

A building designed for late nights, loud music and crowds has very different demands from one built for daily community use.

PA Joinery & Building Services played a key role in transforming the former nightclub into a modern bouldering centre in Morpeth. The work brought together structural alterations, specialist joinery, internal reconfiguration and high-quality finishes.

Transforming the Existing Building

The project began with a complete strip out of the existing nightclub interior, removing outdated fixtures and layouts to create a blank canvas for the new design.

During the works, previously undiscovered dry rot was identified. The affected timber was carefully removed, treated and replaced with new structural joists, alongside a new staircase to ensure the building had a safe and secure foundation for its new use.

Key structural works included:

• Raising floor levels to suit the new layout

• Strengthening sections to support new steel framework

• Creating new structural openings for ground and first-floor windows

• Installing new sliding sash windows to complement the surrounding buildings

Creating a Space Built for the Community

The internal layout was completely redesigned using metal stud partitioning to create a range of practical spaces, all completed in line with current Building Regulations and fire safety requirements.

The finished facility includes:

• Commercial kitchen

• Coffee hatch

• Reception and shopfront

• Meeting room

• Massage room

• Sensory room

• Staff room

• Plant room

• Cleaning and storage areas

• Two shower rooms

• Five toilets

• Accessible shower and WC

The Finishing Details

Once the structural work was complete, the focus moved to creating a finished space that was both practical and welcoming.

Works included:

• Grid ceilings

• Plaster finishes

• Commercial joinery

• New service connections

• Rerouted mains water supply

Every element was carefully considered to ensure the building worked effectively for staff, visitors and the wider community.

A New Purpose for an Existing Building

The Coliseum project demonstrates how commercial properties can be transformed to meet new demands. By combining structural expertise, joinery skills and careful project coordination, PA Joinery & Building Services helped give an existing building a completely new purpose.

From the initial strip out through to the final finishes, this project showcases our ability to manage complex commercial refurbishment and building conversion projects across Northumberland and the North East.