Warwick residents welcome council's backing for new community centre in the town
The area was identified as needing support around 20 years ago.
Residents in Warwick have welcomed the decision by Warwick District Council to sign off a project that will see a new community centre built in the town.
Warwick District councillors unanimously backed a plan for a new community building near to Priory Pools around 20 years after the area was identified as needing support.
Local charity, The Gap, currently runs a small centre that helps people on the Packmores estate and surrounding area, helped by volunteers including residents from the Priory Area Committee (PAC).
Mandy Burford, treasurer of PAC said: “Out of our small centre we are serving an area containing around 1,000 homes but barely has room for seven people to sit down.
"Despite this, a group of us are delivering services like our Packmores Pantry surplus supermarket food giveaway.
"With the cost of living crisis, there is an urgent need for a bigger space, and I am delighted the council has taken on this project.”
Town councillor and PAC chair, Simon Pargeter added: “I want to thank Warwick District Council, and particularly my fellow councillors Jim Sinnott, John Holland and Dave Skinner for supporting the bid for a new centre.
"It has been a long time coming, but this is an important first step in providing the support our community deserves.
"It will be a place to gather to celebrate as well as improve health and combat loneliness.”
Warwick charity, The Gap, has been running the tiny community hub alongside residents and Warwick Lions volunteers, since 2015, after being awarded the contract by Warwick District Council.
The charity has been one of the influential voices calling for a bigger space.
The Gap’s community development manager, Lauren Sime said: “We’re over the moon the council has made this decision.
"It’s been a great team effort to get to this part of the journey and there’s so many people we’d like to thank but too many to mention who helped make this happen.
"We’re excited the residents will be getting an investment in their future, which will go on to support further generations."
Warwick District Council has now signed off the start of a project and put aside £25,000 to carry out exploratory survey work.
Saltisford District Councillor, Jim Sinnott said: “This hub is needed by a community who have done so much on their own and don’t just sit there and wait for things to happen.
"This centre will support social and health needs as well as providing access to local services, reduce isolation and promote wellbeing.”
Warwick and Leamington MP, Matt Western said: “This is a really important step in securing the community centre that Packmores so desperately needs.
"I know how much work has been put into this project by the Priory Area Committee and the local Labour Councillors so am pleased to see these steps in the right direction.
"I look forward to seeing how this progresses to ensure Packmores gets the facilities they deserve.”
For more information about The Gap in Warwick, go to: https://www.thegapwarwick.org/ or for more information about the current Packmores centre go to: https://www.facebook.com/packmorecentre/