HERITAGE, CONSERVATION & MASTERPLANNING
UK Infrastructure and Heritage Conservation
GNNSJ began focusing on spiritual regeneration, through prayer and service, in order to develop the human spirit and strengthen the community. After this, GNNSJ focused on the physical regeneration of local infrastructure to help communities thrive.
In the UK, Nishkam Infrastructure Projects have developed 31 properties over 13 acres of land, involving £60m investment over 40 years. Major contributions to the heritage conservation, development and regeneration of Handsworth, an inner-city area in Birmingham continues on an on-going basis.
GNNSJ Birmingham
Location: 18-20 Soho Road, Handsworth, Birmingham, B21 9BH
Gurudwara purchased in 1978 and redevelopment has been on-going since.
Project details:
Originally consisting of a Polish Club and residential properties. It has been enhanced and developed over 20+ years into one of the UK's largest Gurudwaras complexes.
In 1995, the Gurudwara was the first in the UK to introduce Sikh architecture through the creation of the dome (Gumbad).
GNNSJ London
Location: 142 Martindale Road, Hounslow, TW4 7HQ
Gurudwara purchased in 1982 and redevelopment has been on-going since.
Project details:
Formerly a residential property, it was converted into Gurudwara, and has been extended over the years.
GNNSJ Leeds
Location: 78 Lady Pit Lane, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS11 6DP
Gurudwara purchased in 1988 and redevelopment has been on-going since.
Project details:
Former Ringtons Tea Factory purchased and converted into GNNSJ Leeds Gurudwara. It was remodelled in 2019.
Marg Sat Santokh & Retail Shops
Location: 28-70 Soho Road, Handsworth, Birmingham,
B21 9BH
Opened in 1979.
Project details:
Marg Sat Santokh Manufacturers Ltd (MSS), is a successful limited company established in 1979. With the motto ‘work is worship’, it continues to regenerate the local Handsworth economy by providing high quality carpentry & joinery materials, and luxury kitchens.
Nishkam Centre
Location: 6 Soho Road, Handsworth, Birmingham, B21 9BH
Project dates: 2003-2005
Project details:
The Nishkam Civic Association (NCA) was established in 2005 to develop a dynamic faith-inspired civic agenda, and to actively engage in civil renewal and community development.
Nishkam Elderly Accommodation
Location: 4 Whitehall Road, Handsworth, Birmingham, B21 9BB
Project dates: 2022-2023
Project details:
Providing local housing for
GNNSJ congregation elders,
enabling continued voluntary commitments in elderly age.
Nishkam Healthcare Centre
Location: 21 Soho Road, Handsworth, Birmingham, B21 9SN
Date of Phase 1: 2012-2013
Date of Phase 2: 2020-2021
Project details:
The Nishkam Healthcare Trust was formed in 2012. It aims to serve the local community, empower patients and address health
inequalities through culturally sensitive methods.
Nishkam House
Location: 25-45 Soho Road, Handsworth, Birmingham, B21 9SL
Purchased in 2010
Project details:
Nishkam House currently houses the DWP Job Centre and other businesses.
Nishkam Nursery, Birmingham
First Location: 1 Soho Road, Handsworth, Birmingham, B21 9BH
Project dates: 2008-2009
Secondary Location: 17-19 Soho Road, Handsworth, Birmingham, B21 9BH
Project dates: 2023-2025
Project details:
The Nishkam Nursery was developed within two Grade II listed properties.
Initially the re-development of 1 Soho Road housed the nursery between 2009 and 2025.
In 2025, the conservation and restoration of 17-19 Soho Road was completed and the Nursery moved to the larger location on the other side of the same block.
Nishkam Primary School, Birmingham
Location: 3-11 Soho Road, Handsworth, Birmingham, B21 9BH
Project dates: 2009-2011
Project details:
The school is build through the heritage conservation and restoration of Grade II listed buildings on Soho Road.
Without the voluntary input the development would not have been financially viable to complete.
The buildings were restored to their former glory. An additional extension was added to the back of the buildings reflecting the original raised garden terrace design of these listed properties. The additional space is used to provide teaching and recreational spaces.
Nishkam High School, Birmingham
Location: Great King Street North, Birmingham, B19 2LF
Phase 1 dates: 2012
Phase 2: 2013-2014
Project details:
An industrial unit was converted into a make-shift school through a 60-day construction effort supported by volunteers. This allowed the school to open for the first cohort of students in September 2012.
In 2013, construction of a brand new building began on the same site. This building is reflective of the ethos and values of the school. The triangular design has a spiritual space at the heart of the building, emphasising the importance given to spiritual and moral development.
Nishkam All-Through School, West London
First Location: 390 London Road, Isleworth, TW7 5AJ
Project dates: 2013
Secondary Location: 152 Syon Lane, Isleworth, TW7 5PN
Project dates: 2016-2018
Project details:
To open the school in September 2013, volunteers dedicated their summer to convert an old office block into a make-shift school.
In 2018, a brand new state-of-the-art school was developed to provide high quality facilities for all students throughout their educational journey.
The school has separate wings for primary and secondary education, with a communal central space echoing the focus on spiritual and moral development.
Nishkam Nursery & Primary School, Wolverhampton
Location: Great Brickiln St, Wolverhampton, WV3 0PR
Project dates: 2013
Project details:
Nishkam Primary Wolverhampton was originally opened by a different school trust.
Once it was procured, the building was redeveloped, extended and improved to provide the best possible facilities to the students who attend.
Nishkam Nursery, Leeds
Location: Lady Pit Lane, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS11 6DP
Project dates: 2019-2021
Project details:
Nishkam Nursery Leeds is a private nursery on the same site as the GNNSJ Leeds Gurudwara.
The property was converted and developed into a suitable nursery building by volunteers.
Pledging our allegiance to Handsworth
Once the epicentre of the industrial revolution, Handsworth was renowned as a home to various entrepreneurs, inventors and craftspeople, in a city that was once celebrated for its forward-thinking and faith-inspired civic leadership. Today, despite its many social challenges, Handsworth is a beautiful tapestry of heritage, faith, community spirit and education.
Tucked within the city of Birmingham, Handsworth is our home. Coming together, GNNSJ continue to pledge and demonstrate our allegiance to it, in the hope of reigniting its visionary spirit and embedding it with a virtuous anchor – allowing love, hope and goodness to become the forces that bind and energise our diverse, interconnected communities.