Walsall Community Center is to undergo a £1.3m refurbishment

A community center in Blakenall is set for a £1.3 million makeover, with work due to start in December 2024. Palace Play Shop Eat on Blakenall Row has secured funding from Walsall Council’s Towns Fund and New Horizons Community Enterprise.

The money will see the building transformed to meet the current and future needs of the surrounding community. The project, run by Bloxwich Community Partnership, housed an inflatable play area, alternative education provision for teenagers, a food bank, POP Health and Wellbeing service for young adults and a charity shop offering school uniforms, children’s toys and household. articles.

It has been in its current location for 15 years, and staff say the project has now outgrown the building. The expansion will increase capacity to better provide services to the community, with work expected to be completed by this time next year.

READ MORE: Mayor launches landmark plan to tackle region’s high youth unemployment

To make way for the redevelopment, the bouncy play area has closed and the charity shop has been reduced in size. Services such as food bank vouchers, community support and alternative education provision will continue but in alternative premises.

Eleanor Boycott, CEO of Bloxwich Community Partnership, said: “It was built in the 80s, it was fit for purpose and served the needs of the community at the time. The community has moved on and the way we deliver services has changed. We make the best use of the building we have, but we recognize that it could be better.

“This is an underserved community. We want to send the message to the community that they deserve, they deserve good quality facilities. We’re sending a message that it’s worth raising aspirations and feeling within the community.”

The new building will boast a new youth area, improved toilets, youth kitchen access and soft play with a capacity of 80-100 people. The charity shop will be smaller, giving way to dedicated community rooms offering one-to-one support.

Councilor for Bloxwich East, Mark Statham, said: “On the face of it, the results of the project have been a fantastic success. When you’re here every day, you take it for granted to have a local place where people can feel valued and build confidence.”

For further updates on the refurbishment and services provided by Bloxwich Community Partnership, visit the Palace Play Shop Eat Facebook page.