Western Ward Community Enterprise began working with GSS Architecture after launching an initial crowdfunding campaign in 2019
A Leicester building which has fallen into disrepair and has been standing empty for years is to be redeveloped.
But a plan has since been unveiled to breathe fresh life into the building in the city’s West End by turning it into a community centre, with teaching spaces for local schools.
It will be called ‘Project Hive’ and managed by Western Ward Community Enterprise (WWCE) which said it is excited to bring back a piece of the city’s history as a usable asset for the whole community.
WWCE won the support of the public and began working with the architectural firm, GSS Architecture after launching an initial crowdfunding campaign in 2019.
According to an artist’s impression of the building, there will be a complete transformation of the old building and will be used to help support a bid for further national funding.
The approval of the new plans has been the project’s most significant milestone yet since the group successfully secured the ongoing use of the site after it was put up for sale by Leicester City Council in 2016. However, a further £500,000 will be needed to turn the plans into reality.
Anna McAuley, Chair of WWCE, said, this is such a tremendous milestone for the members of the WWCE, but also for the community in its entirety. GSS have been incredibly supportive and offered us unconditional advice all the way through.
She said: From this point onwards, the hard work begins. Finding approximately £500K for the build is no mean feat, but we hope that we can forge some fantastic partnerships with local businesses and educational facilities to keep the costs down as much as possible.
