Building work starts on Smethwick centre's £780k revamp

Plans for the Brasshouse Community Centre in Smethwick have been on the drawing board since it was taken over by North Smethwick Development Trust in 2007, but builders have moved on site to demolish parts of the old building that date back to the 1970's.

The centre in Brasshouse Lane is being rebuilt by the trust to allow people to access a wider range of services and activities aimed at improving the life chances of families, adults and children living in the area.

Sue Howarth, chief executive for the charity said: "The centre is going to be a significant improvement on what we have now and will allow us to achieve a lot more in the community".

Earlier in the year the trust announced it had signed a 99-year lease with Sandwell Council on the site, which allowed it to win a half a million pound grant from the National Lottery.

"The fact that we have such a long lease has given us the opportunity to raise the funds necessary for work to begin," said Mrs Howarth.

"We are working with local builders and merchants because we want to make sure we are contributing back to the local economy."

The handing over of the centre is the first time that the council has handed over an asset to a community group and is part of a pilot to put the running of services in the hand of those nearest to the communities.

She said: "We consulted more than 530 local people from all backgrounds and we have really taken on board what they have suggested.

"We are all really excited about the centre as is the rest of the community."

When completed visitors will walk through a glass fronted archway, lined with specially designed bricks and will walk into a café and social space where they will be able to seek out employment and volunteering opportunities and use the centres free broadband.

The centre will be opened in June 2014.