Construction Work Starts On Worthing's First Ever Community Hub

Tuesday, 8 September 2020 09:02

By Iona Stewart-Richardson @IslandIona

From left to right: Shaun Fleming (Senior Site Manager for Logan Construction Limited), Justin Burns (Worthing Library Manager), Duncan Crow (West Sussex County Council Cabinet Member for Fire and Rescue and Communities)

Construction work has begun on the first-ever Community Hub in Worthing, situated at the main Library building on Richmond Road.

The building will be transformed into West Sussex County Council’s first Community Hub, which has been designed with residents to create a space which can bring a number of services together under one roof.

Although Libraries act as a central location for some County Council run services already, the new hub will provide custom-designed space to accommodate:

Library Services
Children and Family Services
Find it Out Youth Services
Registration Services

Previously delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic, Logan Construction Limited has now commenced the refurbishment works on site, which is planned to take at least six months.

Duncan Crow, Cabinet Member for Fire and Rescue and Communities, said:

“Now, more than ever, it is so important to make effective use of our buildings and bring services together in a more streamlined way - particularly Libraries and Children and Family Centres, which are at the heart of our communities.

“It was really great to get into the empty space and be talked through the next steps for the build with Logan Construction and Justin Burns, manager of Worthing Library. I am really looking forward to seeing how the build progresses and I know that Justin and his team can’t wait to welcome the other services into the space next year.”

Jacquie Russell, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, added:

“This is a really exciting step for some of our Children's Services who will all come together to give families, children and young people the opportunity to access a lot of services that they already use, but now conveniently co-located in one space.

“This specially designed building, which will include an outside garden and soft play area, pods for quiet conversations with young people and an antenatal area for midwives, will be a first for the county and it will be great to see more of our services working together to give the residents of West Sussex a truly collaborative experience.”

The Registration Service will be moving from their current location next door at Adur & Worthing Council offices, whilst the Children and Family Centre will move from Crescent Road and the Find It Out Youth Services will be moving from Marine Place.

A temporary Library is currently being run from 37 Richmond Road and is open for socially distanced book browsing and a limited IT service.

The one-hour IT sessions need to be booked in advance either by phoning or visiting the Library.

To find out more and follow the progress of the project, visit www.westsussex.gov.uk/communityhubs.