Maggie's Centre in Oldham has incorporated Allgood's Holt ironmongery to complete its thoughtful and hopeful design.

Handcrafted from European oak, the Holt range seamlessly blends with the hardwood cross-laminated timber (CLT) building and reduces the impact of neuropathy for the centre's patients.

Maggie's Centre's provide free practical and emotional support to people with cancer and their family and friends. Founded upon Maggie Keswick Jencks' view that people should not "lose the joy of living in the fear of dying", each Maggie's Centre is designed to alleviate the clinical and dispirited feel of hospital environments, while enabling patients to feel empowered and comfortable.

Built in the grounds of The Royal Oldham Hospital, Maggie's Oldham: The Sir Norman Stoller Building is the first hardwood CLT building in the UK.

Designed by acclaimed architects dRMM, the practice chose to use tulipwood CLT for the positive influence the material has on people and for its beauty, strength, and warmth. With research suggesting wooden structures can help lower blood pressure and pulse rates, the Wood Housing Humanity Report found that the material has more health and wellbeing benefits than any other.

Incorporating nature and sustainability at the heart of the building, a tree has been planted in the centre of the property to help create feelings of hope, strength and empowerment.


A calm and inviting building, the innovative use of hardwood CLT and glass means that visitors are met with a light, open space and views down to the garden below – the inverse of what is expected from a traditional healthcare facility.

Jasmin Sohi, Associate at dRMM, said, "When specifying the ironmongery for the building, the use of timber was integral. Warm to the touch, timber ironmongery reduces the effects of neuropathy. A common symptom of chemotherapy, neuropathy results in pain when touching cold items – such as stainless steel door handles."

Visiting the Allgood showroom in London, dRMM were introduced to the Holt range, designed by Alex Mowat. With an elegant super circular shape, the Holt range is handcrafted from European oak and provides the optimum grip for users.

Jasmin added: "The Holt range provides a beautiful, unique timber solution for what, in a typical hospital environment, is stainless steel and cold. Conceptually essential, the use of Holt ironmongery ensures that all visitors' first physical contact with the building is a positive and welcoming experience."

Incorporating Holt L shape lever handles, WC turns, coat hooks, doorstops and toilet roll holders as well as disabled toilet furniture, Maggie's Centre in Oldham has created a thoughtful environment for its users. 

Bernie Byrne, Centre Head at Maggie's Centre Oldham said, "Designed specifically to meet the needs of our patients, the Oldham centre is unique in that every detail – down to the use of timber ironmongery – has been considered to create the most comfortable and calming environment possible.

"The 21st Maggie's Centre to be opened in the 21st year of the organisation, the Oldham centre has been extremely well received and was visited by more than 500 people in its first two weeks. By providing people with a safe and inviting space to make decisions as well as seek emotional support, we hope to help people across Greater Manchester find their way through cancer."

Franz Lorenschitz, Marketing Manager for Allgood said, "Warm to the touch, Holt was developed to be mindful of those suffering with conditions such as arthritis and neuropathy so is perfect for Maggie's Centre's and other care environments. With a super circular design, this unique range offers an alternative to the traditional stainless steel ironmongery.

"Providing the ideal solution to complete the concept of the Maggie's Centre in Oldham, we hope the installation will help create a space of calm and comfort for the centre's users."

For more information on Maggie’s Centres, visit www.maggiescentres.org

For more information on Allgood, visit www.allgood.co.uk or follow @Allgood_plc on Twitter.