Improvements Completed at Union Corner Hall in Hawks Road

Hailsham Town Council has completed a programme of improvement works at Union Corner Hall in Hawks Road, providing upgraded facilities for the local community and bringing much-needed improvements to the popular community venue.

The main element of the project has been the installation of new toilet facilities, significantly improving the amenities available to users of the hall.

A number of additional improvements have also been carried out across the site, including a full LED lighting upgrade, providing a more modern and energy-efficient lighting system throughout the hall and its associated areas.

Other completed works include a new surface to the disabled access ramp, installation of external water taps and replacement of the hall’s boiler.

The works form part of Hailsham Town Council’s ongoing commitment to maintaining and improving its community buildings, ensuring they remain safe, functional and welcoming places for local residents, groups and organisations.

Cllr Dave Chapman, Chair of the Assets Management Committee, said: “We’re delighted to see these improvements completed at Union Corner Hall. The new toilets are a particularly important upgrade and will make a real difference to the experience of people using the hall.”

“However, this project has been about much more than the toilets. The new LED lighting throughout the site, improvements to the disabled access ramp, the new outside tap and replacement boiler all contribute to making the building a better and more practical facility for the community.”

“Union Corner Hall is an important local asset and is used by a variety of community groups and organisations. It is essential that we continue to invest in our buildings so they remain fit for purpose and can continue to serve the community for many years to come.”

 Operations & Facilities Manager Tony Lee commented: “The completion of the works represents a significant improvement to Union Corner Hall. The new toilet facilities were the main priority, but we have also been able to address a number of other areas around the site as part of the project.”

“The full LED lighting upgrade is a particularly worthwhile improvement, providing a modern system across the whole site while also helping to improve energy efficiency. The new surface on the disabled ramp will also help provide a more suitable and accessible approach for hall users.”

“Replacing the boiler was another important piece of work, ensuring the building has a reliable heating system, while the installation of an outside tap provides a useful additional facility for the management team and users of the hall.”

“We have worked closely with the Union Corner Hall Management Committee throughout the process and are pleased to have delivered these improvements for the benefit of everyone who uses the hall.”

Cllr Colin Mitchell, who, along with Cllr Barbara Holbrook, represents the Union Corner Hall Management Committee on behalf of the Town Council, added: “I welcome these works to the toilets, which I have been personally involved with for more than three years.”

“The extended timescale has been due to a combination of initially having to establish how best to proceed, timing issues around the necessary approvals, and the school summer holidays being the only practical period in which the works could be undertaken.”

“At last, we have managed to line up all the ducks and achieve a much-welcomed result.”

Additional site improvements

The Management Committee is also progressing improvements to the hall’s garden, supported by funding secured by Cllr Paul Holbrook, who has also helped fund the community pre-school group based at the hall. The works will enhance the garden for use by hall hirers and will include the installation of a memorial bench.

The garden improvements are being part-funded through personal grants provided by Wealden District Councillors. The hall is also awaiting the outcome of funding applications for the replacement of windows and doors. Hailsham Town Council has submitted a bid to Wealden District Council’s Community-Led Infrastructure Fund (CLIF) towards these works, as well as a replacement kitchen for the hall.

Supporting a valued community facility

Union Corner Hall is managed under a management agreement with the Union Corner Hall Management Committee, which oversees the day-to-day running of the facility on behalf of the local community.

The hall provides an important space for local groups, activities, meetings and community events, and the recent investment will help ensure it remains a valuable and well-maintained community venue.

The Town Council will continue to work with the Management Committee to support the ongoing maintenance and development of the hall and ensure that the facility remains available for the benefit of residents and local organisations.