Whitchurch community centre opens its new doors following grant funding

The Brownlow Community Centre Trust, Whitchurch has benefitted from £14,300 worth of grant funding which supports local community organisations with pandemic recovery.

The community asset fund was open to organisations who could evidence the economic, social and environmental benefits each project would deliver, and was launched in December 2021.

The centre, in Claypit Street Whitchurch, is a former Victorian school built in 1896 on land given by Lord Brownlow. When the school closed in 1982, the building was donated to the community by Lord Brownlow as a community centre and aimed to enhance the community’s quality of life.

The funding has been invested into improving the accessibility of the centre, and has seen old, heavy wooden doors be replaced with automatic ones at both entrances. The new doors provide a wider entrance for those visiting, and remove barriers for those users with mobility issues, or who require wheelchair or pushchair access.

Brownlow Community Centre, Whitchurch – previous wooden doors (right hand side)

In addition to this, the centre has installed a new disabled parking area for those visiting. The new entrances to the centre have already been well-received by visitors, in particularly those community groups who have additional accessibility needs.

Cecilia Motley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for health (Integrated Care System) and communities, said:-

“Our community venues should be a place where everyone feels welcome and can access with ease. I’m very pleased to hear about the new, user-friendly doors fitted at Brownlow Community Centre. I hope these changes can make day-to-day life that little bit easier for those who may need it.”

Peggy Mullock, local Shropshire Councillor for Whitchurch North, shared:-

“I am very pleased that Shropshire Council have been able to help with the improvement at the Brownlow Centre. The volunteers that manage the centre have been working hard to bring the building up to a high standard for the residents of Whitchurch.

“The centre is being used to deliver COVID-19 booster jabs and flu immunisations on Saturday 22 October 2022, amongst many other uses by the community, for the community.”