Blackburn Army Cadets enjoy new home as part of £14m UK-wide upgrade programme

Blackburn’s Army Cadets have settled into their new and improved home as part of a £14m nationwide Ministry of Defence upgrade programme.

The new headquarters, within the site of Blackburn’s Somme Barracks, will be used by thousands of Army Cadets for fun, friendship, action and adventure.

As well as being used by regional Army Cadets units, the buildings will provide high-quality community facilities for local people to enjoy.

The new building was delivered by modular construction company Integra Buildings, which is supporting the MoD with a UK-wide project to upgrade Cadet facilities.

Integra was awarded the contract after a competitive tender process, having been invited to bid for the work through the Government’s £10bn Crown Commercial Services framework.

Chris Turner, Integra managing director, said: “When we were invited to tender for this exciting project, we didn’t hesitate. We knew it would be a fantastic contract to deliver, working with the Government organisation, and one which will make a real difference to the young people using these facilities.

“This was exactly the sort of project we wanted to work on when we bid to be on the Crown Commercial Services framework. It underlines our position as a modular construction partner of choice for major public sector contracts.

“We’re enjoying working with the Ministry of Defence and Army Cadets to deliver high-quality buildings which will serve local communities well for years to come.”

The Blackburn site is one of 14 Cadet facilities across the UK to be upgraded the current phase of the project. The first sites – in Blackburn, Lancashire, Fakenham, Norfolk and Skegness, Lincolnshire – have been handed over to the Army Cadets.

The Ministry of Defence chose modular as its method of construction due to the efficiencies it offers in design, time and cost.

All of the buildings delivered under the contract meet the MoD’s DREAM (Defence Related Environmental Assessment Methodology) environmental performance standard, helping create a sustainable built environment.

They offer increased energy efficiency compared to the facilities they are replacing, reducing both running costs and carbon emissions.

A spokesperson from the Ministry of Defence said: This investment demonstrates Defence’s ongoing commitment to providing high-quality, modern spaces for our Cadet forces.

“These new facilities are more than just buildings – they’re places where young people come together to grow in confidence, develop skills and form lasting friendships.

“By working with partners like Integra, we are ensuring that the Cadet experience continues to evolve and thrive in communities across the UK.”

The contract forms part of the Ministry of Defence’s Reserve Estate Optimisation Programme, a major defence investment which aims to optimise its estate and transition from a historic footprint to one that supports the demands of today.

The buildings under the contract with Integra will principally be used by cadets from three forces – the Army Cadet Force, the Air Training Corps and the Sea Cadets.

Amy Browne is an apprentice project manager at Integra and has supported delivery of the project.

She said: “Working on these projects has provided me with invaluable experience of managing multiple sites for an important client, ensuring quality and consistency across each location.

“It’s brilliant to see the sites progress, with the first buildings now installed and handed over. I hope everyone enjoys the new facilities and am excited to see this project evolve and progress.”