Local people are helping to shape a better community centre for Horley

The community engagement will build on the survey findings from 2022 and will run from Monday 14 July to Sunday 10 August and will include a public exhibition, with drop-in sessions to talk to members of the project team, and a survey. There will also be targeted workshops with community centre staff, volunteers and hirers.

The community centre, which was built around 40 years ago, needs significant modernisation and, with its existing layout, cannot meet current needs or community aspirations. In May this year the Council’s Executive approved the project to modernise the building following consideration of a report, which included an outline of the feasibility and options study.

Executive Member for Community Partnerships, Cllr James Baker, says: “I believe a revitalised community centre in Horley can attract more visitors, provide more support services, and be the heart and soul of a vibrant local community.

“Modernising Horley Community Centre will address the significant repairs and maintenance that are needed. It will also reduce running costs by improving the energy efficiency of the building, which supports the Council’s ambitions for net zero by 2030 too.

“The redesign will create a more welcoming building where we can provide the facilities and activities that people have told us they want, such as more multipurpose, hireable spaces so we can expand the activities on offer and a new café, with a more extensive menu, that will encourage passersby to drop in and regular users to stay and socialise.

“Feedback from the community engagement will help us understand how people would like to use the centre and check whether local priorities identified in 2022 are still current.

How to get involved

Everyone is welcome to drop in to the exhibition at Horley Community Centre, Albert Road, Horley, RH6 7JA fo find out more, talk to the team and share their views on:

• Tuesday 22 July, 2pm to 7pm
• Saturday 26 July, 10am to 2pm

People are also encouraged to complete the short survey online by Sunday 10 August. Anyone completing the survey can enter a prize draw to win one of two £25 shopping vouchers (see website for terms and conditions).

The exhibition and survey are available online at www.reigate-banstead.gov.uk/hcc-modernisation. Paper copies are available at Horley Community Centre, or may be requested by emailing communitypartnerships@reigate-banstead.gov.uk 

Feedback from local people during 2021 and 2022 has helped the Council to develop its proposals for the refurbishment of Horley Community Centre, which focus on providing spaces for people of all ages to connect and focus on their wellbeing. This community engagement will inform the more detailed design and future look and feel of the Centre.

Making it happen

The major refurbishment required to modernise the building is expected to cost around £2.2m. The majority of the costs will be met from payments made by developers to fund infrastructure needed to support new homes (principally the Community Infrastructure Levy), which was allocated in 2023. Reigate & Banstead Borough Council will be asked to agree the £2.2m is added to the Council’s capital programme at its next meeting on 22 July.

Submission of a planning application could happen by early 2026 with a modernised centre open to the public in the summer or autumn of 2027. The Council expects it will need to close Horley Community Centre for about 9 to 12 months whilst the modernisation work takes place, but this is not expected until summer 2026 at the earliest, giving the Council time to work with centre users on plans for interim arrangements, which will include Horley-based activities.