A project is under way to "breathe new life" into the Garden Room in Saffron Walden - turning it into a vibrant hub for the community.

Saffron Walden Town Council (SWTC) has a signed lease agreement from Uttlesford District Council for a 10-year tenancy of the Garden Room in Jubilee Garden.

Town clerk Lisa Courtney said: "I am truly so excited that the signed lease is over the line and we can move forward in bringing this town centre community space to life."

The town council also thanked district councillors and officers for supporting the lease transfer.

Over recent months, the town council has been working closely with Uttlesford Community Action Network (UCAN) and Enterprise East Group CIC (EE) to plan future activities in the Garden Room.

EE's chief executive Sam McReynolds said: "We are really excited to be part of this amazing partnership and are looking forward to making the Garden Room a vibrant, inclusive and exciting place for the local community to come together and thrive."

Some community events and activities will be launched in the forthcoming weeks, and the town council and its partners will shortly be submitting a considerable bid to the National Lottery Fund to help finance new proposals.

READ MORE

The space aims to offer a warm, safe venue for people to meet and socialise - with every session primarily driven by a specific event or activity.

SWTC and Churches Together Warm Welcome Hub, which is currently held every Monday and Friday afternoon, will continue until at least April.

UCAN will have an office base within the Garden Room for their Saffron Walden volunteering activities, and a regular community activity programme will go live within the coming weeks.

Clive Emmett, UCAN's chief officer, said: "We are very excited to be joining a collaboration with SWTC and EE to re-establish the Garden Room in the centre of Saffron Walden.

"This much needed community resource will be responding to local needs by offering a diverse programme of activities for local people and their families."

Anyone interested in hiring the space once the activity programme is confirmed should email Colette at events@saffronwalden.gov.uk.