Our Future

Exciting redesign and vision

Building Re Design

Since becoming a Charity in 2011, the Trustees identified that, with careful redesign, the Chantry Centre can develop to support an ever wider range of activities which enrich the lives of our diverse neighbourhood and support people to connect, engage and grow.

To achieve this, the Trustees have developed a medium term Business Plan which is revised every 2 years.

STAGE 1 & 2: Roofing and Essential Redevelopment Programme

Between 2011 and 2021 £150,000 of funds were secured and invested in urgent roof repairs and a range of internal improvements such as the installation of the projector & large screen, re-configuring rooms to provide greater flexibility, upgrading lighting and WiFi, and the creation of additional toilet facilities.

STAGE 3: Capital Redesign Project

Trustees have consulted with key users to review the current Chantry Centre design and assess how best to fully maximise the significant potential the building offers for the benefit of the local community. This Capital Programme, which started in 2022, is ongoing with a focus on:

Reducing operating costs and improving the centre's sustainability - 30 solar panels were installed on the roof of the Chantry Centre in December 2022, and in the period February to June 2023 (before building works started) daytime consumption reduced by 43% and night use by 23%. In October 2023, with a grant from Summerfield Charitable Trust we were able to install LED lighting in the Lounge, Skittle Alley, Bar and corridors.

Facilitating increased use by a number of different users at the same time - the current focus is upon the Garden Room and Hall, with new partition walls and fire proof doors installed in July 2023.

Improving accessibility of the centre - work was completed in January 2025 on the rebuilding of the Stage Door area. With a new access lift funded by the Rural Prosperity Fund, it provides a much need operational second entrance to the Chantry Centre (and primary access to the Garden café) and significantly improves the utility of the stage and associated areas. The second entrance means that the Chantry Centre can now host two large scale events at the same time.

Improving the aesthetic appeal of the Chantry Centre - the first stage of this was to remove asbestos from the front of the building (which was completed in August 2023) – because with it in situ refurbishment options were limited. There has been a real challenge in developing an affordable design solution for the front of the building and the Trustees are actively seeking alternative funding sources. In the meantime a number of internal improvements have been made since 2024 to the front of the building.

£200,000 towards the Capital Redesign Project has come from Stroud District Council arising from the Section 106 obligations paid by the developer of the Littlecombe site in Dursley with a number of smaller donations from other sources.