Vacant community centre to get £400,000 upgrade

Up to £400,000 is to be spent on upgrading an empty community centre to help it appeal to new occupiers.

City of Wolverhampton Council said it has agreed to carry out work on Portobello Community Centre in Hill Road, Willenhall, so any community groups taking it over would "have a strong base to start from."

The building was put on the market for a potential community asset transfer (CAT) deal in 2025 but interested tenants were "put off" by the condition of the building despite "substantial interest", it said.

Roof and electric works would bring the building, which has a large hall, lounge, playroom and meeting room, back to "functional" use.

The project will be funded through £124,000 from the government's Pride in Place Programme and £276,000 from the council's Corporate Provision and Contingency for Future Programmes budget.

Josie Kelly, chair of the Bilston Pride in Place board, said the scheme was all about "investing in the things that matter most to local people" and the community centre was "a great example of that in action".

"The board has worked closely with residents to understand their priorities and there has been a clear desire to see investment in the places and spaces that bring communities together," she said.

"Bringing Portobello Community Centre back into use will create opportunities for local groups, activities and services while making a visible difference in the area. We're delighted to see this important project moving forward."

Groups were invited to apply to manage the centre in May last year, after it became vacant in December 2023 when the previous community association left.

Deputy leader of the council, Steve Evans, said the improvements would now "breathe new life into an important community building" and "help secure its future for local people".

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