Hucknall's John Godber Centre refurbished thanks partly to County Council's Local Improvement Scheme

Popular Hucknall event venue the John Godber Centre has been refurbished partly thanks to funding from the County Council.

The Centre, on Ogle Street, is in its 114th year of existence and has been a beneficiary of Nottinghamshire County Council's Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) in which is has received £7,673. This amount has been match-funded with money raised by the St Mary Magdalene Church Hucknall Jumblers and St Mary's Trading Company.

The money has helped to revamp furniture in the venue's meeting and function rooms, purchasing more than 300 much-needed new chairs and 54 new tables worth approximately £15,000.

Centre Manager, Mrs Kim Pears said: "As the pandemic took hold, our refurbishment plans were paused, and the challenges of lockdowns and restrictions were met and overcome.

"The new furniture has been a fantastic addition to the Centre and the generous support we've received from our previous local Councillor Phil Rostance and Nottinghamshire County Council's Local Improvement Scheme has allowed us to further invest in the facilities we've developed for our diverse community, many of whom have had a hard time during the pandemic."

Nottinghamshire County Council's Communities Chairman, Councillor John Cottee, who oversees the LIS, said: "This centre has been benefiting the Hucknall community for more than 100 years and is still as popular as ever.

"Our Local Improvement Scheme is designed to help make a difference in the local community and so we're delighted that funding has been used towards the transformation of this wonderful centre. Replacing the well-worn furniture across the venue's meeting and function rooms will help it thrive once more after such a challenging time."

The John Godber Centre is now having an open day this Sunday (August 22nd) between 11am and 2pm to allow the people of Hucknall to view the improved interior of the venue and to discuss opportunities to use it in the coming months.

Mrs Pears continued: "Glowing feedback on the furniture upgrade has already been received from Centre users keen to take advantage of the new programme of activities and events hosted by the venue since the relaxing of Covid restrictions.

"We're inviting the wider public and funders to see the new furniture and extensively refurbished facilities as part of an open day on Sunday 22 August, to give people a chance to find out more about the classes, groups and services hosted by our centre, with demonstrations throughout the day.

"The team and I will be on hand to talk to visitors about our upcoming events and hire of the John Godber Centre for whatever their need."

The new furniture is part of a wider £200k refurbishment at the centre over the last three years, which was self-funded by the centre and included the installation of public Wi-Fi, new first floor toilets, energy-saving LED lighting, redecoration of the entire venue, improvements to the bars and catering kitchen, a new PA system and hearing loop, new main hall ceiling, stage curtains and dance class mirrors.

Nottinghamshire County Councillor Lee Waters, who represents the Hucknall South area said: "The John Godber centre is at the heart of this community, so this open day will showcase all the fantastic activities that people can get involved in now things are opening up more and more.

"Local Improvement Scheme funding is a great way to support centres like these, especially to help in their post-pandemic recovery."