Friar Park Millennium Centre Milestone
The Friar Park Millennium Centre, a community hub in the heart of Wednesbury’s Friar Park, today celebrated a major milestone with the official spade-in-the-ground ceremony marking the start of its expansion and refurbishment project.
This new development is part of the Levelling Up Partnership Programme, a Government-backed initiative aimed at boosting local economies in areas that need it most. The fund has already seen Wednesbury benefit from a new town square, tree planting, new paving and new CCTV installed alongside other crime prevention measures.
The Chair of the Wednesbury Levelling Up Partnership Board, Kallianne Titley, said:
“The Friar Park Millennium Centre is being expanded to better serve the growing community. The extension will add much-needed space for new programmes, including youth services and skills development projects and space for the community to come together. It will also mean we have a permanent library space.
“I hope that Wednesbury people are already seeing the impact of our investment with the recent improvements to the town centre.”
Since the project began, the Millennium Centre has already launched a Job Club and hosts Sandwell Council Youth Service activities, strengthening its role as a community hub.
Friar Park in Wednesbury has also been selected as an area to receive investment from the Government’s new Pride in Place Programme. Over the next ten years, the area will receive up to £20 million investment. This will empower local communities to work in partnership to improve high streets, community spaces and public spaces that foster stronger and close-knit neighbourhoods.
Sandwell Council Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Infrastructure, Councillor Peter Hughes, said:
“This new funding for Friar Park is a timely and welcome addition to the work already underway across Wednesbury. It will enable us to build on what we’ve already delivered and accelerate visible improvements that residents, businesses and visitors can see and feel in their daily lives.
"Sandwell has further been identified as an area to receive £1.5million over the next 2 years as part of the national Pride In Place Impact Fund to support the development of shared spaces, revitalise local high streets and improve public spaces."
Paul Fish, Operations Director for Seddon Property Services, said:
“Breaking ground on the Millennium Centre marks an exciting step in delivering a modern, energy-efficient facility designed to serve Wednesbury for generations to come. We look forward to working closely with the council and community throughout the build.”
Linda Matthews, Chair of Friar Park Millennium Centre Board, said:
“We’re pleased that these works have started and we’re looking forward to opening the new space next year.”
For updates and more information, visit the Friar Park Millennium Centre Facebook page.
View the plans with our Friar Park Millennium Centre walkthrough video.