Work begins on ‘invaluable’ new community centre in Sussex station

Proposals for a new community hub in a disused part of Crowborough station have moved to the next stage as the public were invited to see plans for the first time.

MP Nus Ghani hailed the project, which will give a space for organisations like arts and crafts charity ArtyTime and Crowborough Pantry, as a “fantastic asset to the station and local area.”

Southern, which manages the station, has donated £50,000 through its Your Station, Your Community fund towards the scheme.

Rob Whitehead, Community Engagement Manager for Govia Thameslink Railway, which operates Southern, said: “I’m really pleased to support the Crowborough Community Hub using our Your Station, Your Community fund.

“It’s always exciting to see the projects we fund become a reality, and I’m looking forward to seeing this disused station space receive a new lease of life, serve the community and generate real social value.”

A ‘soft launch’ event was held for the local community to see inside the building – some for the first time – after clear up works were completed.

MP Nusrat Ghani, for Sussex Weald, said: “Having been supporting the project for years, it was wonderful to join the Crowborough Deputy Mayor and Chair of the Community Hub Committee Cllr Paul Goddard and our local communities in celebrating the start of a very exciting chapter of the project.

“Community hubs are invaluable spaces for residents across Sussex Weald, helping to tackle loneliness and providing a space to socialise and learn new skills. I’m pleased that the lease as well as several stakeholder grants have already been secured to help with the delivery of this project.

“The Hub enjoys wide support from the community and once completed, it will be a real intergenerational and fully accessible community asset, bringing together people of all backgrounds over a shared interest.

“I look forward to watching the refurbishment works progress over the coming months and welcoming this great new facility to Crowborough train station when it is completed.”

Paul Goddard, committee chair of the Crowborough Community Hub showed Nus around the space and talked through the designs.

She was presented with a wooden coaster, made from the old floor inside the station.

Paul said: “There is a lack of affordable available space for community groups within Jarvis Brook, so we are really keen to refurbish the station and be open as soon as possible.

“It was great to see so many supporters of the hub from the community. After all, this is a space for the community, run by the community.”

The lease of the building has been signed to the Community Hub which will be operated as a Community Interest Company (CIC), meaning that any profit will be reinvested into the project.

Work is already in progress to transform the site into numerous rooms for use by various clubs and organisations including the Crowborough Pantry.

Provided that all planning permissions and supporting funding is secured, the aim is to have the Hub up and running by Christmas this year.