Castle Buildings in Hull will transform into a shared base for Hull’s voluntary, community and enterprise sectors, providing a space to collaborate, grow and deliver improved outcomes for residents.
It will combine shared activity and community space, affordable professional meeting and conference facilities, office accommodation and shared administrative support.
An integrated environment that supports both effective service delivery and long-term organisational sustainability will also be part of the project led by HEY Smile Foundation.
New IT infrastructure and furniture will be included in the refurbishment which is also expected to create three new employment opportunities.
HEY Smile Foundation is committing £230,843.56 of its own monies which is being match-funded from Hull City Council’s government-backed Pride in Place Impact Funding.
The grant is part of the £1.5m awarded to the council through the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s Pride in Place Impact Funding.
The funding’s three main objectives are to create, improve or refurbish community spaces; enhance public space such as green spaces and sports and leisure amenities; and make high streets and town centres more attractive and welcoming place to encourage economic activity.
The council is using £750,000 of this to continue its highly successful city centre regeneration investment programme, with the other half being added to the Community Highstreets programme to expand its activity.
Chris Jackson, director for regeneration and partnerships at the council, said: “Having a hub for voluntary, community and enterprise sectors in one place, in the city centre, will encourage networking and foster improved relationships to the benefit of our residents.
“This is a great example of the Pride in Place Impact Funding meeting one of its objectives improving or refurbishing community spaces, and a great use for the Castle Building which have been recently restored.”