Work to restore one of Nuneaton's oldest buildings as part of Government's Towns Fund

A major scheme to restore one of Nuneaton’s oldest buildings to its former glory will be underway this autumn after the Government confirmed nearly £19.4 million of funding has been released for key Towns Fund projects.

Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council submitted detailed business cases for a number of Towns Fund schemes earlier this year.

One of those to benefit from £1.8 million of the funding is the rejuvenation of town centre landmark St George’s Hall, now named Saints.

The former Conservative Club was built in the early 1900s as a social centre for local people which was hugely popular as a night spot through two World Wars and beyond. It is also fondly remembered by Conservative Party activists from its use as a headquarters at election time.

The building has been taken on by charity Together for Change in partnership with a collection of Nuneaton churches and Christian organisations, who plan to carry out an exciting refurbishment, bringing the whole impressive venue back into use.

Downstairs has already been converted into learning space and a café. Phase two of the Saints project involves renovation of the dance hall upstairs, paving the way to expand the range of activities on offer, with a particular focus on 'Sport and Support' and 'Create and Connect'.

Jet Jones, who works for the diocese of Coventry as the Director of Regeneration and Community Transformation and is also CEO of Together for Change, said the project would help the charity deliver more for all members of the community as well as generate funds for the organisation.

She said: “We have renovated the former Saints nightclub into a community hub with a training café for young people, market stalls, free children’s play area and training rooms where we focus on starting enterprises and equipping people with the skills they need for life or to find work.

“We survived three lockdowns and the pandemic as a small start-up business thanks to the fantastic support of the local community, and it has been wonderful to see many churches in Nuneaton get behind this project and offer volunteer support.

“We are now moving on to phase two and are so grateful for this government funding which will enable us to renovate the upstairs St George’s Hall which is beautiful with a wooden dance floor and stage which we want to bring back into community use to host events, functions and weddings – we already have one wedding booking!

“It is a wonderful building with ornate features that we want to restore. We hope to start work this autumn and we are aiming to open in the autumn of 2023.”

Nuneaton’s bid was put together following a major consultation in the town which led to over 250 ideas being submitted to the Town Deal Board – which is made up of business representatives, Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Councillors, Warwickshire County Councillors and representatives from Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP), Warwickshire CAVA, the health sector and community.

Cllr Kris Wilson, leader of Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council, said: “We are determined to do everything we can to drive change in this borough, starting with our town centres.

“It is so pleasing to see the difference that this Towns Fund Government grant will make in our community.

“Saints is working so hard to reach out to people and has created something very exciting from this historic Nuneaton building, making the best of its existing features, while creating some new and imaginative opportunities, too. This is exactly what we hope to do with our town centres.”

Sean Farnell, Chair of the Nuneaton Town Deal Board and CWLEP board director, said St George’s Hall had not been used since 1997 and it is fantastic it is going to be given a new lease of life.

“The response from Nuneaton residents to our consultation was wonderful because it was a real opportunity to shape its future by the people who know it best,” he said.

“St George’s Hall is well remembered and much-loved in the town and this project will be a great way of holding events as well as creative projects involving all sections of the community.”

Four flats on the top floor of the building are already occupied and Together for Change is now aiming to secure further funding to create two incubation units in the basement which will include a 5G hub to enable people to learn more about 5G technology.

The full list of the eight schemes that now have business case approval from the Government is:

George Eliot Visitor Centre

Digital Skills & Innovation Centre

The Saints

Weddington Road Cycle Link

Visiting Nuneaton Changing Perspectives

Wheat Street Junction

Corporation Street, Queens Road Junctions

Electric Vehicle Charging Hub