Beverley Firm Saves NAPA From Structural Drama

The home of Northern Academy of Performing Arts (NAPA), a Grade II* listed building on Anlaby Road in Hull is getting a second chance following advice and support from Beverley chartered building surveyors, Delaney Marling Partnership Ltd (DMP).

An asset management plan will enable NAPA to budget and plan for building maintenance costs which will allow the school to remain open to students during extensive building works.

While the drama and dance school is successful, attracting hundreds of students each week to dance and drama classes, the not for profit company thought it could not sustain the inevitable costs associated with the building’s maintenance requirements. The 110 year old building has started to reveal structural issues and to deal with these, DMP produced a 10 year property asset management plan which includes a survey and a structured maintenance plan.

Barbara Dawson, Manager at NAPA says:

“I have been greatly concerned about the building as it appeared the maintenance costs might exceed our income and that we may have to close whilst the building works were undertaken.”

!Now, having sought advice for the experts, my mind has been set to ease and I can now focus teaching our students, safe in the knowledge that we can remain open for the foreseeable future.”

“Delaney Marling Partnership has structured a 10 year asset management plan that takes into account the works needed and DMP is also working with us to establish and prioritise an achievable, affordable plan of work over several years.”

“With this plan in place we should be able to apply for funding as it shows a clear plan of works and how much it will cost. Getting advice from DMP has been essential, as a self-funding charity it’s having the support of people like this on-board that helps to keep us going.”

NAPA Educational Trust helps aspiring performers aged between 3-19 to hone their skills in dance, drama and musical theatre in a creative environment amongst industry experts. The academy works in partnership with schools and community groups to run 90 different courses over the academic year, teaching over 600 students from around Hull and East Yorkshire.

This year NAPA will celebrate its 10th year in the beautiful Edwardian building on Anlaby Road in Hull and with news of a realistic plan it is a double celebration which has delighted students and parents alike.

Simon Delaney from DMP has been delighted to advise & support NAPA. He says:

“We have spent a lot of time within the building and around the staff & students and there is a strong sense of pride in what they do within the community.”

“I have recently had the pleasure to attend one of the NAPA productions and it was evident how much the students get from attending NAPA, we are proud to be involved with a charity that gives so much to the community.”

“Before NAPA took it over, the premises were home to the School of Architecture and dates back to 1904. After all this time parts of the building that hadn’t been properly maintained were left to rack and ruin. It would have been terrible if NAPA would have moved out as the premises are the perfect setting for performing arts classes.”

“As with NAPA, we are able to advise educational establishments in particular academies on how to apply for funding from DfEE. If schools are set in older building that require maintenance there are procedures to ensure these wonderful buildings stay open for teaching purposes.”