How former the Northallerton Prison is set to become a state-of-the-art tech hub

Developer Wykeland is ploughing ahead with plans to convert a former Yorkshire prison into new co-working space for agritech businesses.

Contractor Moody Construction is transforming the Victorian prison blocks at Northallerton Prison, which have been derelict since the site closed in 2013, as part of the £17m Treadmills scheme.

Two of the buildings, the former main cell block and female wing, will house Centre for Digital Innovation (C4DI) Northallerton, a new community of tech specialists, building on the success of the C4DI digital hub in Hull.

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Occupying a total of 7,000 sq ft of space, C4DI Northallerton will have a key focus on agritech – the use of technology in agriculture, horticulture and food processing – to help these sectors to develop and grow and build an ecosystem of tech companies with supply chain and mentor access.

The current interiorThe current interior
The current interior

John Connolly, managing director of C4DI, said: “It’s fantastic to see the work taking place to create a unique new home for tech innovation and collaboration in Northallerton. Bringing traditional agriculture and food processing companies together with the tech sector will create new businesses and jobs and deliver a significant, wider impact on the local economy.”

The hospital block is being remodelled to create 1,500 sq ft of offices and meeting rooms. There is potential for a 4,500 sq ft bar or restaurant on the ground floor. The former Governor’s House is being converted into a cafe on the ground floor and mixed uses on the upper floor, creating a total of 3,500 sq ft of new space.

The work involves external restoration and extensive internal redevelopment, modernisation and refurbishment of the Grade II-listed prison buildings, the oldest parts of which date back almost 200 years.

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The redevelopment of the former prison site is being driven forward by Central Northallerton Development Company Ltd (CNDCL), a joint venture formed by leading Yorkshire property developer Wykeland Group and Hambleton District Council.

CGI of the latest phase of TreadmillsCGI of the latest phase of Treadmills
CGI of the latest phase of Treadmills

The latest phase of the Treadmills scheme will see four of the five former prison buildings transformed. The final building, the tenement block, will be converted at a later stage. The work involves the retention of as many of the original prison features as possible.

Half of the original solid steel cell doors will be retained while internal walls will be removed to convert cells into offices for start-up and scale-up tech ventures. External bars will be retained on windows as a feature in communal areas of the office spaces.

The C4DI area will feature a new partially glazed roof section creating light and space in what was previously dark and cramped accommodation for inmates.

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The conversion and modernisation work is due to be completed this autumn and will be followed by a two-month fit-out, with occupiers due to move in early next year.

Old corridor of the prison.Old corridor of the prison.
Old corridor of the prison.

Wykeland managing director, Dominic Gibbons, previously said he had always taken a long-term market view and that the projects that are currently on site will make an important contribution to the region’s growth post Covid-19.

Jonathan Stubbs, development director of Wykeland and a CNDCL board member, added he was excited that work is now well under way on the heart of the prison site.

“Establishing C4DI Northallerton will create an aspirational environment for tech entrepreneurs and specialists to collaborate and thrive. We’re keen to hear from tech-based businesses and freelancers who want to become part of this exciting new community, based in a unique, characterful setting.”

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