St Margaret's Church get new lease of Life

Birmingham community celebrates new centre

A Birmingham church is to be transformed into a centre for use by the whole community thanks to a £300,000 grant.

St Margaret's Church, Ward End has been award ed a grant from the Veolia Environmental Trust. Regular worship at the church ended in 2005, although it is occasionally still used for services. The money will be used to redevelop the inside of the building. St Margaret's Community Trust said the refurbishment would include rented office space for social enterprises and room for drop-in advice surgeries, as well as a hall for events.

One resident said it would bring the church "back into the heart of the community". The community group is also waiting to hear the result of an application to the Heritage Lottery Fund.

If successful the group plan to develop a further hall space and mark the history of the church and the local area.

Local MP Liam Byrne will be joining the celebrations on Friday 14th October 2011, alongside Birmingham's Lord Mayor Anita Ward. Friday's party will also offer a chance to name the new centre.

For further details see St Margaret's Church