Ventol Leads Full Refurbishment of Pennymoor Community Centre in Tamworth, Staffordshire
Ventol, life safety systems and building services specialists, have successfully delivered the full renovation of Pennymoor Community Centre – a vibrant home to a thriving preschool nursery and a vital community venue in Tamworth, Staffordshire – overseeing all on-site works from start to finish and transforming the space into a safe, accessible, and fully compliant hub for the local community.
Two local businesses, one shared vision
Ventol successfully delivered the entire scope of on-site works, supported by a highly skilled and experienced in-house team. With expertise spanning four key divisions - Mechanical & Electrical, Fire & Security, Passive Fire Protection, and Building Fabric – Ventol provided a cohesive solution that balanced design, functionality, and regulatory compliance.
In partnership with Scolmore Group, a local business with a shared commitment to community support, Ventol transformed the space into a newly improved space that now serves everyone who uses the centre. Scolmore Group contributed to the refurbishment by supplying high-quality electrical products from across its trusted brands, which Ventol expertly integrated within the project.
Mechanical and Electrical Services
With an unwavering focus on safety and efficiency, Ventol delivered reliable, sustainable, and cost-effective services to meet the specific mechanical and electrical needs of the Pennymoor Community Centre.
Energy-efficient lighting replacement
Ventol undertook a full-scale overhaul of the centre’s lighting system, replacing all outdated fittings with energy efficient LED solutions, dramatically improving the quality, efficiency, and longevity of the lighting throughout the facility.
To enhance safety and ensure emergency readiness, the lighting upgrade also featured emergency lighting to provide clearly illuminated escape routes and ensuring full compliance with safety regulations.
Together, these energy efficient LEDs and emergency lighting systems deliver reliable, long-lasting performance while significantly improving the centre’s energy efficiency and safety standards.
Modernising electrical infrastructure
To modernise the centre’s electrical infrastructure, Ventol installed a three-phase distribution board, customised to meet the site's specific power and safety requirements. Ventol also carried out a comprehensive second-fix electrical installation using certified antiviral and antibacterial wiring accessories - ideal for environments used by young children.
Key enhancements included high-level sockets in the preschool area to reduce trip hazards and improve accessibility. Additional single and double sockets were installed throughout the centre as well as a weatherproof socket for external use.
Improving Accessibility, Hygiene, and Functionality
In the children’s WC facilities, sinks were lowered to create a more accessible and child-friendly environment, supporting greater independence and ease of use for younger users.
Ventol also installed new plumbing connections to accommodate a dishwasher and washing machine, enhancing the centre’s operational efficiency - particularly in support of the preschool’s day-to-day activities.
Further improvements were made in the girls’ toilets and baby changing area, where full replacements were carried- out to upgrade fixtures and fittings. These updates have significantly improved hygiene standards and usability, ensuring the facilities are safe, modern, and fit for purpose.
Fire and Security Services
Fire safety was a key priority in the refurbishment. At every stage of the project, Ventol offered a comprehensive range of fire and security services, from design and installation through to ongoing maintenance.
Installation of a new L1 fire alarm system
Ventol installed a new L1 fire alarm system to deliver comprehensive protection across the entire site. Ventol selected a two-wire cabling system to provide a robust and reliable fire detection solution tailored to the centre’s needs.
This fully integrated fire alarm system offers full-site coverage and advanced alert functionality, providing vital reassurance to staff, parents, and the wider community that the centre is protected by a high-performance, regulation-compliant fire safety solution.
Cable Care to Protect and Optimise
To maintain wiring integrity and optimise the efficiency of the installed electrical systems, Ventol used an extensive selection of cable accessories. These essential components ensured compliance with safety regulations and standards and further enhances fire protection through-out the building.
Passive Fire Protection
Accredited by FIRAS, Ventol’s Passive Fire solutions include everything from the provision of fire risk assessments through to the completion of drawings and evacuation plans.
To improve access and safety in the Pennymoor Community Centre, an investigation was carried out on the front door to assess the need for repair or replacement. At the rear of the preschool, the existing door paddle handle was replaced with a crash bar, providing a safer and more user-friendly emergency exit solution.
Building Fabric Services
With a commitment to the highest quality of workmanship, Ventol’s Building Fabric Services were delivered by a team of qualified and experienced tradesmen whose skills include brickwork. Carpentry, decorating, drainage, flooring, groundworks, joinery, plastering, roofing, and ceiling replacement.
Upgrades to office, preschool and storage spaces
In the office area, Ventol installed a new suspended ceiling and replaced folding doors with a solid stud wall to create a more secure and private workspace. A high-level vision panel was integrated into the new wall, allowing staff to maintain clear visibility into the nursery while preserving a sense of separation.
Across the preschool, flooring was fully replaced to provide a cleaner, safer, and more durable surface for everyday use. Radiator covers were upgraded to ensure safety for young children, and repairs were made to boxing in the toilet areas to improve hygiene and appearance.
Additional improvements included the installation of new kitchen wall units, added shelving in the large storeroom to maximise storage efficiency, and the repair or replacement of various internal doors, door frames, and blinds throughout the facility.
Final Touches: Decoration and Cleaning
To complete the transformation, the entire site underwent a full redecoration, with walls painted in a fresh, contemporary white with light grey accents on frames and trim - creating a bright, modern, and welcoming environment throughout the centre.
Once all works were completed, a comprehensive builders' clean was carried out, ensuring every space was spotless and fully ready for use by staff, children, and the wider community.
Community Collaboration
The refurbishment of the Pennymoor Community Centre would not have been possible without the invaluable support of Tamworth’s local community and businesses. A moment of appreciation is due for the generous contributions that made this transformation possible.
Scolmore Group, drawing on its portfolio of trusted brands and products1 , played a pivotal role in delivering solutions that Ventol could rely on to enhance performance, ensure compliance, and prioritise the safety of all users. In addition to providing high-quality electrical products, Scolmore Group generously donated essential non-electrical items, carefully selected to enrich the daily experience of both preschool children and community members.
1Products from Scolmore Group include Click’s Mode range of wiring accessories including double, single, and Aquipp66 weatherproof sockets along with Elucian’s Three-Phase distribution board. Ovia’s Evo Orb Bulkhead and E-Lite Linear Batten, and emergency lighting including Ovia’s LED box exit signs. ESP’s complete MAGDUO range including a fire alarm panel, manual call point, and optical smoke detectors. Unicrimp’s Q-Fire and Q-Crimp cable accessories.
In time for opening day, as children and teachers returned after their six-week break, Ventol welcomed them with vibrant balloons and decorations. To make the community centre feel even more special, Scolmore Group’s design team created a brand-new logo and custom signage, adding a fresh, uplifting touch to the space.
Special recognition goes to Martin, owner of M&S Office Interiors, also located in Tamworth, for donating office chairs, desks, and filing cabinets, and to Ventol’s dedicated team of volunteers for their hard work and commitment.
Delivering Real Impact Through Local Partnership
The Pennymoor refurbishment is more than a facilities upgrade - it is a shining example of how local businesses can come together to deliver high-impact community investment. By combining Ventol’s hands-on project delivery with Scolmore’s trusted product solutions, the project demonstrates how commercial professionalism can serve a community-first mission.
Kara Clarke, the nursery manager, expressed her gratitude, saying: “I’d like to thank Ventol Group and Scolmore Group for the fantastic job they have done on the refurbishment of our building. It’s been transformed into a warm, safe, fresh, modern environment for all the children and the local community. We can’t thank them enough for all their hard work.”
The refurbished Pennymoor Community Centre is now open and fully operational - ready to welcome the next generation of learners and community groups through its doors.
Our team of experts are always on hand to guide and give practical advice based on years of experience. For further information please contact us on 01827 300630.