'Overwhelming' support as community centre reopens

A community hub forced to close last year due to financial constraints, has reopened with the help of volunteers.

Cheltenham Borough Council has negotiated a 35-year lease with new tenants for the former St Marks and Hesters Way Community Centre - now known as Common Ground.

The first phase of the refurbishment is complete and the centre, which was built in the 1940s, formally opened on 17 January.

The Community Interest Company, Mission Inclusion, has plans to offer educational, cultural and wellness services, and said the level of support from the local community was "overwhelming".

"It's been incredible, the amount of engagement and involvement from local teams of people and local businesses," said Anka Jablonska, from Mission Inclusion - formerly known as Alliance for Equality.

"In the last few months the team that have been involved in renovating the space altogether contributed 5,000 hours in volunteering."

Jablonska said the name change to Common Ground reflected the company's mission to provide a space for everyone.

"With successful completion of phase one, we want to start generating income by renting out the centre for classes such as yoga, meditation and dance, with the beautiful Rima hall available for family celebrations or bigger community events."

The building requires £1m in investment for renovations, which will be raised through income from Common Ground's operations, fundraising, sponsorship and donations from local businesses.

Cheltenham Borough Council, Gloucestershire County Council and the Sumerfield Trust have also supported the project.

Councillor Alisha Lewis said during negotiations for the lease the group had "ambitious plans" for the hub and the inclusive ethos "lives up to the spirit of Cheltenham".

"The new hub will be a huge asset and has a great future ahead of it," she said.

"It will tackle some of the biggest challenges facing the community, whilst reopening a much-loved local asset for residents to enjoy year-round."

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