Portsmouth City Council | Victoria Park Lodge Refurbishment
Portsmouth City Council
Refurbishment Alteration Fit-out Historic Building Local Authority

Mountjoy was asked by Portsmouth City Council to refurbish Victoria Park Lodge, converting it into a café run by a local charity. The lodge in the heart of Portsmouth city centre is on land listed under the "Register of Historic Parks and Gardens" by English Heritage and was built in the late nineteenth century.

Speaking at the time of award, Councillor Donna Jones, Leader of Portsmouth City Council said "Victoria Park is a much-loved space and the renovation of the lodge is the start of transforming the park into a more functional and attractive area.... It will also provide great opportunities for vulnerable adults with real training opportunities to increase their employment prospects".

The café is being run by the Society of St James who provide the majority of substance misuse services in Portsmouth, both through treatment services and the provision of specialist housing. The aim of the café is to provide employment and training opportunities to local people with histories of homelessness and substance misuse.

Mountjoy redecorated the lodge, installed new flooring and a new kitchen and servery, all within a tight timescale. New shutters were fitted to the windows in the style of the building. A new courtyard was created with picnic benches allowing enjoyment of the park.

On completion of the project, Meredydd Hughes of Portsmouth City Council said "opening up the garden area has created a super facility within the park and has really enhanced that area".