Work underway to extend bustling village hall thanks to UK Shared Prosperity Fund

Published: Mon 4th December, 2023

  • The picture shows, from left, Anstey Parish Council vice-chair Sue Billington, Charnwood borough councillor and lead member Jennifer Tillotson, Anstey Parish Council chair Glyn McAllister and parish clerk Liz Hawkes.
    The picture shows, from left, Anstey Parish Council vice-chair Sue Billington, Charnwood borough councillor and lead member Jennifer Tillotson, Anstey Parish Council chair Glyn McAllister and parish clerk Liz Hawkes.

A village hall at the heart of the community is undergoing a transformation thanks to the support of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Anstey Parish Council is extending the Jubilee Hall to provide a second larger community hall for the local scout group and provide more facilities for groups in the area.

The project has received £524,000 from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and is one of 10 projects chosen by Charnwood Borough Council. The Council has been allocated £4 million from the fund to invest in communities, support local businesses and improve skills.

Cllr Jennifer Tillotson, Charnwood Borough Council’s lead member for economic development, regeneration and town centres, said: “I was delighted to visit the hall to see the project is progressing well.

“The hall is a busy and bustling place, and the extra room will bring real benefits to the community and the groups and people who use it.

“I look forward to seeing the extended hall when it is completed.”

Glyn McAllister, Anstey Parish Council Chair, said: “We have been planning to extend the hall for a long time and thanks to the UK Shared Prosperity Fund we are now able to do the work.

“The hall is extremely popular and there is a demand for community space in the village.

“We are very pleased that as a parish council we can deliver this for the village.”

The extended hall means the 40th Leicester Scouts can move from their current ageing premises in Leicester Road.

Sue Billington, vice-chair of the parish council, said: “It will be great for the scouts and other community groups to be able to use the new hall. The project is progressing well, and we can’t wait for it to be completed next summer.”

The project also includes a new meeting room facility available to hire as well as additional storage. New toilet facilities with outside access for sports users and spectators on the recreation ground are being provided and garage space for the Council’s grounds maintenance service is being created.

Work started in September and the hall is remaining open until December 18. The building will then close until the summer of 2024 when building work is expected to be completed.

The total cost of the project is over £860,000 and is also being funded by parish council reserves and contributions from developments in the area under Section 106 agreements.

The projects being backed by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Charnwood Borough Council also include creating a MUGA facility at Birstall, expanding sports facilities in Mountsorrel, backing a three-year youth support programme, improving the wellbeing and skills of young people as well as regenerating Shepshed’s Market Place.

For more information, visit www.charnwood.gov.uk/UKSPF