A BREAKING ground ceremony has marked the official start of work to build a new £2.1m facility for a leading animal charity in Wrexham.

Pave Aways building contractors has begun the first stages of construction for the new Cats Protection adoption centre in Bradley Road, which was previously home to North Wales Fire and Rescue Service.

The redundant fire station had been vacant since 2016 and Pave Aways has already demolished the existing building in preparation for the state-of-the-art rehoming centre.

The scheme will replace the charity’s existing facility at Madeira Hill and include a 380m2 single storey building with external freestanding cat pen buildings, landscaping and associated infrastructure.

The build, designed by Stockport based Bowker Sadler Architecture, is scheduled to take 40 weeks.

The Cats Protection contract will provide a boost to the Wrexham economy with Pave Aways using local sub contractors and suppliers from its approved supply chain wherever possible.

Managing director Steven Owen said: “We are delighted that work is under way on this exciting scheme. This is a significant project for Wrexham and Cats Protection and we look forward to delivering the charity’s vision.”

Catherine Hodson, capital project manager for Cats Protection’s Property Team, said: “Cats Protection is very pleased that development is now underway and are looking forward to being able to home an increased number of cats and kittens once the new adoption centre is fully operational.”