Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council has revamped an empty shop to provide room for community activities following the closure of a centre a year ago.

Westside Community Centre, in Paddock Road, South Ham, was shut down on September 7 last year, after dangerous concrete that is prone to collapse was found in the building.

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, in collaboration with Sovereign Hill Partnership, is now in the process of opening a newly refurbished space in Kings Road to bring more services from the community centre back to the heart of South Ham.

The community centre was closed following the discovery of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) in its roof panels—a material known for its potential to decay and collapse.

READ MORE: Future of community centre remains uncertain as closure continues

RAAC is a lightweight, bubbly form of concrete that is usually found on roofs and occasionally on walls and floors but is known to be weak and less durable.

The material was favoured in construction projects because of its lightweight thermal properties.

The closure of the community centre has had a significant impact on the community, with a number of groups and clubs forced to relocate to other community centres and meeting places.

A pre-school, community food pantry, and various clubs and support groups have found temporary homes, allowing them to continue their important work in the community.

Meanwhile, the council has also revealed that all equipment from the building would be removed to facilitate comprehensive structural surveys of the centre.

Cllr John McKay, Cabinet member for communities, partnerships, and inclusion, said: "To help us and Hampshire County Council to consider the most cost-effective options for the future of the building, more detailed surveys of the building are required. Until we know the results of these, we cannot make any decisions for the future or set a timeline."

Planning permission was recently granted for temporary storage units and the council said it is supporting the community association to remove its equipment from Westside Community Centre into these new units.

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"The services and activities provided by Westside Community Association are a vital lifeline for many residents in South Ham, and we are doing all we can to find temporary solutions following the enforced closure of Westside Community Centre," Cllr McKay added.

“To provide more services in the heart of the community, working closely with the Sovereign Hill Partnership an empty shop in Kings Road has already been revamped to provide more space for community activities and is due to open shortly.

“More options to re-provide space for the community association to use are actively being explored."