More than £100,000 has been spent on improving a community centre.

The Viables Community Centre in Harrow Way, Basingstoke, underwent a refurbishment of the Osborne Room with money from Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council.

More than £93,000 of this was provided from developers’ contributions and an additional £13,000 from the council’s capital fund.

 Luan Squire in the newly refurbished kitchenetteDebbie Soto in the newly refurbished kitchenette (Image: Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council)

The work, which was also designed and delivered by the borough council’s property services team, included a new accessible toilet with a baby change facility, a new kitchenette, an extension to provide storage, and an insulated roof.

The centre has also benefitted from re-plastering, re-wiring, and decorating.

Viables Community Centre manager Luan Squire said: "We’ve had some great feedback following the improvements.

 Inside the newly-refurbished Osborne Room at Viables Community CentreInside the newly-refurbished Osborne Room at Viables Community Centre (Image: Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council)

"This work has created a lovely space in the Osborne Room.

"The addition of the toilet has made it much easier for users as they now no longer need to leave the building to use the main toilet block in the cold, dark and wet weather."

"The funding means that other improvements can be made to the main building, including upgrades to the fire doors and replacement of the damaged, ill-fitting, blown glass windows, which will ensure this also offers a warm and comfortable space which is more energy efficient as well."

 The newly-refurbished Osborne Room at Viables Community CentreThe newly-refurbished Osborne Room at Viables Community Centre (Image: Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council)

Cabinet member for communities, partnerships, and inclusion Councillor John McKay, said: "Viables Community Centre is a popular facility, hosting a wide range of group events and activities which benefit a large section of the community.

"I am delighted we have been able to improve the building here."