Modernising Horley Community Centre - public engagement survey feedback (Sept 2025)

What activities could make Horley Community Centre feel more welcoming to everyone? Please select all that apply.

We provided participants with a list of activities and requested participants tick all that apply. In the section ‘Other (please specify),’ participants had the option to leave additional comments/feedback in a free text box. All submitted comments are detailed below, they have been copied directly from the source data, including any spelling, grammar, or spacing errors as originally submitted, any expletives have been removed. A summary of the data can be found in Figure 1.

“Disability scooter access”

“More widespread information on activities etc at the centre”

“It’s fine as it is, what we want is a cinema, something which we were denied only for one to be approved in Redhill?”

“I have selected all answers, because all could help make the centre more welcoming to everyone (as asked), not because I feel that you should necessarily try to do all of them.
I don't know whether there's anything useful to be done regarding multi-cultural aspects (my use of the hall and knowledge of other users of the hall doesn't give me any insight into this).”

“Advertising on Internet”

“More social activities, arts & crafts, languages, wellbeing, exercise, dance, theatre, cookery classes, multi-generational social activities. Outdoor seating area, bar, bbq area.”

“YMCA very close and provides for toddlers and children and youth clubs Night want to consider music spaces which would bring together diverse groups and possibly intergenerational activity .”

“Better toilets”

“SEN groups for teenagers and young adults”

“Ok as it is.”

“Advertising board on the outside of the building for passers by to see.
Cafe to be open to all at more times & wider provision”

What physical changes to the building would make the centre feel more welcoming? Please select all that apply.

We provided participants with a list of suggestions and requested participants tick all that apply. In the section ‘Other (please specify),’ participants had the option to leave additional comments/feedback in a free text box. All submitted comments are detailed below, they have been copied directly from the source data, including any spelling, grammar, or spacing errors as originally submitted, any expletives have been removed. A summary of the data can be found in Figure 2.

“Improve the parking.”

“Stop wasting money on unnecessary projects, sort the roads out first, then free parking town centre parking for residents, that may actually get the town moving again, except some muppet approved that horrendous eye sore of a development at the old air balloon site leaving a huge empty shop in the town?!?”

“Welcoming and inclusive signage on the front of the building to make it more appealing and encourage people to to go in.”

“Outdoor socialising area”

“Air conditioning”

“A more user friendly lift
A clear space for the Community fridge and additional food. Designated facilities for food club”

“Solar=panels+excellent idea.
Bring back session for citizens advice please”

“Better toilets”

“Ok as it is.”

“Cafe should be visible from the outside (see Merstham Centre)”

“The large hall upstairs is used for excercise classes and other activities but is often very hot and airless.The windows need better shading and to be able to be opened. The car park is also dark and cramped.”

“Disabled “drop-off” parking close to entrance”

“Air conditioning”

“Larger hair salon”

“Air con when its hot”

The council is considering changing the layout of the ground floor and first floor to add more activity/meeting rooms, please tell us what you like and dislike about the spaces on each floor?

Participants were asked to leave comments/feedback in a free text box. All submitted comments are detailed below, they have been copied directly from the source data, including any spelling, grammar, or spacing errors as originally submitted, any expletives have been removed.

“The smelly toilets upstairs are right where people sit to eat.”

“First floor pull out stage so more room hen required.”

“I thought all public community centres should have disabled access. So how come disability scooters are not allowed in the building and have to be left outside. This is discrimination and possibly illegal too.”

“The spaces are ok just needs to be refreshed.”

“The cafe/waiting area on the first floor is very dark.  Replacing the glass in the boarded up windows would provide more natural lighting. “

“ITS A WASTE OF MONEY!!!!!!!”

“I like the open plan space where the dining room is situated but it could be much brighter.  The stage area on the first floor is very dated and the stage seems unnecessary. The landing on the first floor is very drab and disconnected.”

“I use the  first floor large hall for an exercise class and not being able to open the windows properly or have any substantial shading of the windows makes this very unpleasant in the warmer months.Also talks are often held upstairs and it is very difficult to see screen presentations due to the poor shading.”

“I only use the large hall on the first floor and WCs. The hall is a nice space, and the stage is very good for seeing instructors during exercise classes.
The downside of the hall is that it can get hot - not only in the current heatwave.
It would be nice if there could be some changing facilities alongside the WCs.”

“The main area on the 1st floor is great, but better temperature controls would be helpful.  When we use the hall in the evenings its unbearable hot and stuffy.”

“Narrow corridors, it’s like an old people’s home.
No idea what happens upstairs.
No baby change on the ground floor!”

“Would be good to have one large main room on the ground florfor big events etc.”

“The current form is fine but could be improved upon”

“You can't see into the building and it's very dark and cramped looking”

“more brighter colours needed”

“As a user of the community centre, I would like to see small confidential spaces that are welcoming and away from the public gaze. A bereavement cafe or counselling area might help many members of the community. I have always been impressed with the wide range of groups that come to the centre and maybe a sensory area would be helpful for neurologically diverse people and those with dementia.  I think there should be some toilet facilities on both floors. The meals and events currently put on by the centre are valued by those who use them and reducing the size of the kitchen may reduce the capacity for this function. Removing the facility will also cause job losses.
I like the idea of the rooms being more accessible and  brighter and there is a need for more toilet facilities . An area for  banking and chiropody might need more specialised rooms? There do not seem to  any plans for air conditioning which in view of climate change and the present poor control of temperature seems something that should be considered with such a major change to the building”

“.”

“Lower floor very tight and not open plan.
Toilets take up a lot of space.”

“First floor - do not like the toilets being accessed directly from the main room. Toilets should be accessed from a separate area, not direct into a room that could be full of people. People waiting to use these would also cause a queue if this was a timed event such as a performance.”

“It's a bit dark and dingy downstairs and in summer the upstairs can get very hot and needs proper ventilation.”

“Upstairs layout not proportionate to activities not aware kitchen storage area is used to full potential currently.
Downstairs reception and walkways "pokey" not particularly welcoming tight access for disabled/walking/aids.”

“That would be a great idea”

“Reception is ok but needs modernising. If there's not anyone there it could stop people venturing in if they've not been before.
The upstairs cafe area is old fashioned and gets incredibly hot and stuffy.
Everywhere needs modernising and bringing up to date.”

“I see not any problems with the layout on either floor other than have dividers so the whole upper or lower floor can use them
Remove the stage”

“Maybe divide ground floor into 2 rooms”

“The current layout is perfect for our retirement group, upstairs & downstairs.
We need air conditioning in the upstairs hall
Helpful to have screen & projection facilities for presentations.”

“Corridor/bar areas upstairs are too tight and too hot, big windows great but not easy to open, bad ventilation. Main room natural light missing.”

“As I said in Q3 the first floor is too hot and the cafe area very cramped.also the cloakroom area needs to be enlarged.The hall upstairs is a good size for physical activities.”

“Too many doors”

“Downstairs, the corridor is too narrow and the toilets are too far away from the dining and seating areas. The hair salon is far too small! Knock the salon and nail room into one and use the small room opposite for nails!
The main room downstairs is lovely and bright but a lot of the space is wasted!
Upstairs, the main hall is lovely and the stage offers the opportunity for shows, films, etc. The seating area lends itself to this but could be reconfigured for better use. The kitchen is ideal for hirers but should be utilised more! Maybe an alcohol licence, as in past years?”

“Downstairs seems dark and unwelcoming. Front desk should be able to see at a glance what IS available to the public with better advertising.
Upstairs could do with a better coffee shop like it was when opened in early days when first open.”

“...”

Earlier feedback suggested the building needs more flexible spaces that can accommodate a range of different types of activities. What kind of spaces would be most useful to you and the centre’s visitors?

Participants were asked to leave comments/feedback in a free text box. All submitted comments are detailed below, they have been copied directly from the source data, including any spelling, grammar, or spacing errors as originally submitted, any expletives have been removed.

“Meeting rooms”

“FREE PARKING IN TOWN FOR RESIDENTS WOULD BE A MUCH BETTER THING THAN WASTING MONEY ON CHANGES THAT ARE NOT NEEDED!”

“An area dedicated to young adults. Wheeled furniture so it can be easily moved to allow flexibility of the space. Wheelchair access in all areas. A place for mums to leave buggies and older people to leave mobility scooters. Quiet spaces for relaxing.”

“More medium sized rooms rather than the mix of 2 large and a few small rooms that there are now”

“For what I use the centre for it would be nice if the large hall could be even larger, but I don't believe this is possible given the overall building dimensions!”

“Ive only attended activities in the main 1st floor space and it seems to work well except for being too hot”

“Smaller rooms for hire for smaller events/hirers
Rooms for exercise classes”

“Music practice rooms”

“Would be good to create an outdoor area for socialising, nature activities etc.”

“Still thinking”

“It's good to continue hairdressing and chiropody.”

“spaces that feel like you can just sit and chat, helps people integrate more for peer to peer support”

“See previous page! “

“Areas that can be hired to host events like children's parties or yoga classes and local exhibitions”

“.”

“Citizens advice”

“Range of size of room to hire”

“I think you need a variety to accommodate group activities and smaller groups who want a more private gathering.”

“SEN spaces for teenagers to meet regularly and post-16 holiday sessions.
Rooms for activities for older people.”

“Art spaces”

“Some partitioning which is sound muffling so spaces can be utilised by visiting "help/advice" organisations in privacy like the Eye Clinic”

“If possible a space that can avoid congestion”

“The main area needs to be light and airy with enough space for activities like Craft Groups & Book Club. I think its important these and other activities take place where everyone can see whats happening and perhaps join in next time.”

“See above”

“Ensure space for 2 short mat bowls mats upstairs + storage for the mats when rolled up.”

“as above”

“Large upper hall with stage for keep fit, speakers, demonstrations & entertainment.
Kitchen area brings us all together to get to know each other with refreshments.”

“Art room with skylights
Cafe should be more light & open and bigger”

“Maybe a variety of small and medium sized meetings rooms”

“Cafe, exercise classes, hair salon, book swap and reading area, dog friendly!!”

“We enjoy our keep fit sessions so need large room.”

“...”

The council is considering combining the upstairs café and the downstairs restaurant into one café area on the ground floor. Please tell us what you like and dislike about the current spaces.

Participants were asked to leave comments/feedback in a free text box. All submitted comments are detailed below, they have been copied directly from the source data, including any spelling, grammar, or spacing errors as originally submitted, any expletives have been removed.

“The upstairs cafe is handy for those who want drinks upstairs and struggle with mobility.”

“Good idea”

“Sounds sensible.”

“The current downstairs layout provides a good space for the occasional themed lunches which include entertainment.  It would be a shame to lose this facility.”

“Shut them both, not needed, let people use local businesses instead.”

“People dropping in wouldn’t know there’s a cafe upstairs so seems a waste of space and staff resources. A welcoming cafe/coffee shop downstairs would make sense.”

“The upstairs cafe is very cramped”

“I have never used either.”

“I will like it”

“Naff at the moment there are lots of coffee shops in the highstreet so don’t compete. Keep it cheap and traditional for older people but don’t make it look like gods waiting room.”

“Two different locations in one building make no.sense. this would help efficiency”

“This makes perfect sense.”

“Much better for easier control and better use of community space”

“I didn't know there was an upstairs café”

“more poeple together is brilliant, however would be great to have a specific quiet section, especially for some with neurodiversity and dementia “

“If events are held upstairs it  adds to the convenience to have a car upstairs and it could offer different facilities. Carrying drinks upstairs is a bit of a health hazard .Awater facility would be the very least that should be available upstairs”

“Yes just needs one facility. A cafe is fine”

“Yes combining both areas would be a good idea as long as their is enough floor space to do this without making it too crowded - downstairs has the more windows and therefore should be lighter and brighter”

“Yes excellent idea.
Upstairs needs to have a better open plan layout.
Stage takes up too much space”

“Better in one location”

“I've never used the downstairs restaurant. Upstairs is a bit squashed.”

“Nice to have two separate areas.”

“Having to move around”

“Upstairs cafe space could be used for other purposes.
Downstairs currently looks dull and institutionalised. Like the idea of coffee and snack area with informal seating. In addition to main meals.”

“That would be a great idea”

“As long as activities like Knitting and Nattering take place on the ground floor Cafe area would be fine. Quite a lot of drinks and snacks are purchased at things that go upstairs. More vegetarian would be good.”

“I think having the upstairs cafe is handy for use when things like Friday Food Club runs”

“Like the cafe upstairs, if there is only a cafe downstairs and your activity is upstairs time spent for players going down for refreshments - then bringing them back upstairs - Risk assessment of elderly carrying hot drinks!! or a coffee/tea vending machine”

“Good idea all in one cafe on ground floor”

“Perfect the way it is. Upstairs refreshment facilities essential for our members and guests sometimes travelling long distances to reach us and in need of a drink. Also an area for those not able to take part in keep fit.”

“Too much like an institution instead of a community space. Yes, combine.”

“It is a good idea as some people would accept it some people like a light lunch instead of full especially some older people.”

“The upstairs cafe is very small but I wonder how easy would it be for customers using upstairs to access the downstairs cafe when activities are going on in both areas?”

“Combining the two makes sense, and an outside seating area would be lovely! Though it is nice to be able to nip next door for a drink during meetings, events etc, upstairs! Perhaps a smaller pop up cafe could be incorporated for the main hall up there!”

“...”

Earlier feedback suggested people would like a coffee shop, snack bar and light lunches as part of the combined cafe offering. Do you agree with this? Please comment with any other suggestions that you would like to see.

Participants could select ‘yes’, ‘no’ or ‘not sure’ and had the option to leave additional comments/feedback in a free text box. All submitted comments are detailed below, they have been copied directly from the source data, including any spelling, grammar, or spacing errors as originally submitted, any expletives have been removed. A summary of the data can be found in Figure 4.

“Cater for food allergies and include calorie counts.”

“Promote local businesses”

“I think this would be great. It may draw people in who would otherwise go to coffee  shops on the high street, especially if prices were more competitive.”

“A coffee shop would be good”

“Plus outdoor dining area.”

“anything to increase footfall, help people save money but will also raise more funds for the centre”

“I am not clear about what a snack bar would offer. It would be great to see an area where people could be shown how to cook cost effective meals with foodbank and food club provisions. This might also be a facility for Warm hub in the winter where at least warm food could be on  offer . Horley have had some sessions like this previously.
An outside seating area for coffee shop would help to attract people down the road from the High st. it is amazing how many residents do not know of the community centre existence. Maybe it should be advertised though verbal communication methods”

“Agree”

“This is a list of puddings
Mixed berry clafoutis
Ice cream cupcakes
Doughnuts
Cheese cake
Cookies
Fruitcake
Sponge cake
Smarties cake
Cupcakes
Ice cream cone cupcakes
Strawberry short cake
Gingerbread cake
Star Wars cupcakes
Halloween cupcakes
Christmas cakes”

“See above.”

“As above more vegetarian options and flexibility on options available when people can't eat what's on the official menu. This is also true of special celebration lunches when people with special requirements won't/can't come.”

“Please retain the upstairs kitchen facilities”

“Please retain current lunches arrangement with current chef.”

“With outside seating area and dog friendly!”

Is there anything that you think should be available in Horley town centre that is missing and could potentially be accommodated in Horley Community Centre?

Participants were asked to leave comments/feedback in a free text box. All submitted comments are detailed below, they have been copied directly from the source data, including any spelling, grammar, or spacing errors as originally submitted, any expletives have been removed.

“Youth club”

“Not sure”

“Youth club.  Small cinema.”

“Free parking for residents in all the car parks”

“An exchange cafe where people could leave things the no longer need and take things they do eg books, baby clothes.”

“An advice shop:Maybe moving the CAB as it is quite a distance from the town at the moment.
Maybe a repair shop”

“People”

“Wellbeing areas, music events for all ages.”

“Computer and AI training for all age groups, students and professionals”

“Arts and crafts centre for children
Soft play for children”

“more integration between teenagers and older people, something for them to do and to go”

“Bank many people have to go to Redhill or Crawley  to go to the bank which is expensive. Disability shop/mobility scooter hire, fitness studio ( sprung floor) There are groups that run here attended by females but affordable exercise groups for men and children might help to improve community health/ wellbeing groups”

“Local history exhibition/ museum spaces. Children from local schools could even contribute. Could be themed on time of year, Horley in wwi around rememberance, traveller history month, Asian history month etc to celebrate diversity and inclusion across the town.
Aware current base in library, but unless actively looking for materials you are unlikely to stumble across them.”

“A cookery place to help people learn to cook and not eat so much takeaways .”

“I think it's seen as somewhere the older generation use.... And a polling station .It would be nice if it encompassed the needs of the whole community, so more multi generational activities. They might have these already but it's not widely known, if they do”

“SEN teenage youth club”

“Sporting activities,entertainment for the elderly”

“Puddings”

“Help shop”

“Gym center”

“Somewhere to buy shoes and clothes other than charity shops or going out of town, there is nowhere to get these items.”

“No”

“Helpshop”

“Help shop
Citizens advice
clothes - second hand that people can pop in and browse”

“...”

Please share any other comments, suggestions, or ideas that you feel would benefit the community at Horley Community Centre.

Participants were asked to leave comments/feedback in a free text box. All submitted comments are detailed below, they have been copied directly from the source data, including any spelling, grammar, or spacing errors as originally submitted, any expletives have been removed.  

“Air conditioning. Sound system and visual projection in the top hall”

“Make renting the space as cheep as possible to foster new user groups. Install air conditioning and solar battery systems to enable this.”

“Keep it cheap. Add multiple activities eg. Babie classes, Old people activities. Advertise it more”

“Air conditioning upstairs.”

“I think the people involved in this waste of money project should step down and let residents decide what is needed in OUR town!”

“An accessible space that all ages can use. Being better publicised and visible from the high street”

“Councillor and or MP surgeries”

“1. I think care should be taken with expanding services such as cafe, hairdressers etc. such that they serve the community, but do not negatively impact the opportunities for commercial businesses in these spaces within the town which is also an important aspect of the local community.
2. I would like to praise the centre staff who I come into contact with - they are very friendly, welcoming, and accomodating. I attend the centre for an exercise class, which was originally held elsewhere. The difference in how we are treated (and I am just an attendee, not running/organising the class) is huge and reflects very well on the centre.”

“A water fountain that can be accessed when the kitchen is closed would be nice.”

“Be able to hot-desk, meet support worker, work
Bookable booths, tables, spaces for working”

“Sorting out the parking area attached to the community centre that is used for social gatherings and loud loud music and unsafe driving”

“Charity fundraising events, safe interior & exterior spaces for multi-generations, meet your local police/firefighters/farmers days etc.
SEN family events.”

“I am concerned about provision of social support, hairdressing and chiropody whilst the centre is being modernised. It is a lifeline to many.”

“a graffiti wall, that gets painted over every few weeks”

“Maybe consider something like the Advice Cafe model  run by Good Company would be a helpful.”

“Hosting more open group events... 'coffee connections' new mums/dads in their 20s, mums in their 30s, 40+, new to the area, art classes, calligraphy, conversational language classes, forestry, DIY basics... A range of classes offered by volunteers that run in 4/6  week blocks before changing”

“Would like to help”

“The main entrance doors need work, better ways to access, you can’t find the access button. Replace the doors.”

“*There is still the Pensioners Centre label to centre whilst it is a safe and welcoming place currently not all elderly people find it vibrant enough.
It is important for Reception staff to be upbeat and welcoming to all.”

“I think Horley Community Centre is a great place to go to now and I do something there every week. I also use the hairdressers. A modern up to date building with more activities encouraging all ages to come can only make it better.”

“air condising”

“Air conditioning a must upstairs”

“Surgeries for or workshops:
MP
Health screening
Legal
Finances
Nutrition
Education”

What three words would you use to describe a successful modern community centre?

Participants were asked to leave comments/feedback in a free text box. All submitted comments are detailed below. All submitted comments are detailed below, they have been copied directly from the source data, including any spelling, grammar, or spacing errors as originally submitted, any expletives have been removed.

“Integration comfort friendly”

“Disability access important”

“Comfortable affordable green”

“Busy cheap social”

“Welcoming, all-age, buzzing”

“Well used, wide ranging activities, WELL publicised”

“Welcoming, inclusive, affordable”

“Waste of money”

“Bright fun spacus”

“Bright, inclusive, accessible”

“Welcoming inclusive and accessible for all ages”

“Affordable, flexible, friendly.”

“Inclusive, flexible, affordable”

“Calm”

“Open, multigenerational, community”

“Vibrant, modern, multipurpose”

“Welcoming, diverse, friendly”

“Vibrant, multi-generational and affordable.”

“Inclusive, lovely staff, easy access”

“Accessible, supportive, caring”

“Useful, community, teenagers”

“somewhere where people feel happy to go and not feel bad about going, used to be known as a fuddy duddy place”

“welcoming,  future proof, safe”

“Intergenerational, welcoming and relevant”

“Inclusive Educational Fun”

“Excellent
Overdue
Wellbeing”

“variety, welcoming, accessible”

“Inclusive inviting interesting”

“Inclusive, sociable, affordable”

“Events,update decor,spacious,welcoming and safe”

“Banstead community centre”

“Welcoming
Ageless*
Prominent”

“Multipurpose
Modern
Vibrant”

“Inclusive, friendly, happy.”

“Welcome come in!”

“Welcoming, friendly, approachable”

“friendly and inviteing”

“Food
Warmth
Friendship”

“Community
Available/accessible to all (cheap/affordable)
Friendly”

“More modern furniture for light relaxing”

“Accessible welcoming clean”

“Welcoming, friendly, inclusive”

“Welcoming  for all”

“...”