Fulham residents celebrated the start of building work on their new Sands End Arts and Community Centre this week.

Hammersmith & Fulham Council has worked closely with residents and local stakeholders to design the new centre at the disused Clancarty Lodge in South Park. It will be built by the council – but managed and run by local people.

See more pictures from the day on our Flickr photo gallery

“The residents of Sands End sadly lost their beloved community centre eight long years ago, so we’re building them a new one,” said Cllr Stephen Cowan, Leader of Hammersmith & Fulham Council.

He was speaking at a groundbreaking ceremony attended by dozens of residents, including many who campaigned to save the previous centre along with Chris Stratford, Stakeholder & Consents Advisor for Tideway.

“Local people have helped design the new centre and local people will run it,” said Cllr Cowan.

Cllr Ben Coleman, H&F Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care, added: “The new community centre will be for everyone to use and will boost residents’ wellbeing across Sands End and South Fulham.”

Ben Green, Delivery Manager West for Tideway, said: “We are delighted to be able to offer this significant contribution to the local community. After several years of working successfully with the council, we look forward to 2019 when it will become a reality and of real benefit to the local community.”

The new Sands End Arts and Community Centre is being built at no cost to residents, thanks to funding which the council has negotiated from developers. Tideway is providing £2million as part of its community investment and Chelsea FC is providing up to £1.6m via its community contribution for the redevelopment of Stamford Bridge.

New arts and community centre

Work has now begun on the new Sands End Arts and Community Centre and is due to finish in 2019.

The disused Clancarty Lodge will be refurbished and a new building will be built on the site to provide a range of bright, welcoming spaces for residents to use.

The centre will feature:

• a large community hall
• a new cafe facing the park
• flexible arts, community and nursery space
• bookable rooms
• improved landscaping.

In line with H&F Council’s approach of doing things ‘with’ and not ‘to’ residents, a community trust comprised of local people will be established to run and operate the centre.

Find out more about the new Sands End Arts and Community Centre.