First phase of pub’s transformation into community hub completes

The first phase of a £630,000 project to transform a former pub into a community centre in Leeds has completed.

Welcome In, a community centre owned by the OPAL charity, opened its doors after extensive renovation by Ashfield Building Group, working to designs by LEDA, a Leeds firm of architects and engineers specialising in sustainable buildings.

The project aims to bring together communities in an area between Horsforth and Cookridge.

At the heart of the project is the Community Café which seats 48 customers and includes disabled access and baby changing facilities. A drop-in advice centre, the charity’s offices and initial space for hire by community groups and small businesses form the remainder of the opening phase.

For OPAL – Older People’s Action in the Locality – the Welcome In, situated on Bedford Drive in the Tinshill district, marks the success of a two-year search and fundraising campaign to secure permanent premises at a cost of £350,000.

“For us to have our own base to run from is going to be great and make a real difference to what we can do,” said Ailsa Rhodes, OPAL project co-ordinator.

“Although OPAL is for older people, the area is lacking facilities for all ages and our ambition is to open up to other groups and community users, bringing people together from across the generations to share the space.”

Ashfield Building Group managing director Brendon Quinlan said: “We take knowledge from project to project and this helps in building a collaborative relationship with property owners and architects. Creating new community space is a good example of how working together produces great finished buildings.”

A second stage of development for the Welcome In building will add more space to generate new income alongside revenue from the café to support OPAL’s work. This includes two activity rooms, a therapy suite for natural healing and meeting rooms as well as a garden and improved car parking.

OPAL is hoping to secure the estimated £280,000 to complete the community centre with grants, support from charitable trusts and continued fundraising.