Situated on the High Street of the historic and affluent town of Billericay, The Old Shambles is a Grade II listed building within the High Street’s designated Conservation Area. Built in the 18th Century, this former coaching inn, with its distinctive double-fronted design and adjoining shop, is one of the oldest and most recognisable structures in the area. Now home to the Brentwood Catholic Children’s Society (BCCS), the building supports their vital mission of providing emotional wellbeing and mental health services to schools and families across the South East of England.

Our brief was to transform this historic office building into a versatile, multi-purpose facility that meets the diverse needs of the charity. This included creating a welcoming Reception area to greet visitors, Therapy Rooms designed to cater to children, adolescents, and adults, and a flexible Board Room that could be used for staff training, meetings, and social events. Additionally, we incorporated Welfare areas, a fully equipped Kitchen, and purpose-built Offices to support the charity’s wide range of services, ensuring the space is both functional and adaptable for its intended purposes.

We approached the project with great sensitivity to the building’s age and heritage, ensuring its character was preserved while meeting modern needs. This included submitting a comprehensive Listed Building Application on behalf of the client. Key features of the transformation include the creation of DDA-compliant access at the rear to ensure inclusivity for all users, adaptable spaces such as Therapy Rooms and the Board Room to provide flexibility for various functions, and office spaces designed with corresponding detailing to balance functionality with the preservation of the building’s historical significance.

Customised and thoughtful details were carefully integrated into the design to meet the charity’s unique requirements. The reception area features a bespoke counter with bubble-effect detailing, complemented by a seating pod designed to offer a comforting space for anxious children. Throughout the offices and therapy rooms, custom-designed desks, storage cupboards, and shelving provide functionality and style, including vibrant storage solutions for the Play Therapy Room and a tailored console unit in the Board Room.