The Deighton and Sheepridge areas will soon have a new community hub.

Several organisations have come together to totally transform the former Top Club working men’s club at Ashbrow.

The club was recently taken over by Local Services 2 You, a group of community businesses which already runs the nearby Chestnut Centre and now want to turn the old club into a centre of education, digital technology, culture and heritage.

But before that happens it needs completely renovating.

Over the next few months the building will be transformed by construction giant Willmott Dixon and its local supply chain businesses helped by volunteers from West Yorkshire Police and West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service alongside West Yorkshire Combined Authority, Kirklees Local TV and members of the community.

The volunteers will carry out surveys of the centre’s electrical and fire safety, its drainage system and existing damage to the roof. They will then also redecorate the entire interior with donated materials, re-upholstering seats, fixing leaks, replacing old flooring and giving it a new coat of paint.

Willmott Dixon is now building a new police headquarters in Dewsbury and a new headquarters, training centre and fire station for West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service in Birkenshaw.

As part of its shared commitment to the local economy across both projects, Willmott Dixon has so far invested £18m with local businesses within 20 miles of its sites. Both projects are being built with an average of 50% of the project workforce living within 20 miles of the sites.

Willmott Dixon has provided 161 weeks of apprenticeships and 369 hours of support to help get under 24-year-olds into work and more than 30 weeks of training opportunities.

Willmott Dixon’s Yorkshire director Chris Yates said: “We’re delighted to play our part in helping our friends at Local Services 2 You continue to provide invaluable support to this community.

“A huge thank you to absolutely all our brilliant volunteers. I can’t wait to see this become a safe and welcoming space inspiring, engaging and creating opportunities for everyone.”

Chief Supt Jim Griffiths (above), District Commander for Kirklees Police, said: “Our officers and staff have contributed to this worthwhile project at the Top Club and I would also like to thank them for their efforts.

“We believe this new centre will be a vital asset for the community of Deighton and look forward to seeing what opportunities it provides for people in the area.”

West Yorkshire’s Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, Alison Lowe OBE (above), said: “Having safer places and thriving communities is one of the main priorities of our Police and Crime Plan for West Yorkshire. This project plays a big part in achieving our ambitions.

“It will ultimately mean that more people in the Ashbrow area have access to the support and facilities they need to flourish.”

Local supply chain businesses that have given their time, expertise and materials include Guarding UK, SES Engineering Services, OFR Consultants, Lucion, IKO, LSS, Wingate, Ramfabs, Akzo Nobel and JIG UK.

Written by ANDY HIRST who runs his own Yorkshire freelance journalism agency AH! PR (https://ah-pr.com/) specialising in press releases, blogging, website content and copywriting.