Creating a community space and café
Progress report – June 2025
The Friends of Spencer Park are pleased to report that the work to refurbish and renovate the Edwardian pavilion in the park to create a community space and café is finally underway following a delay of several months. The delay arose due to several factors, including adjusting the work programme to ensure that it could be completed as planned within the existing budget, and an overrun on a previous project experienced by the contractor.
The work to date has consisted of what is termed ‘stripping out’ – removing existing walls, ceilings and fittings that will no longer form part of the interior of the building. Additional costs will be incurred to remove asbestos dust found on the premises during this stage of the work. These costs are being met from contingency funds. The mechanical and electrical services engineer has now reported back with details of the work required to ensure that the water and electrical supplies and fittings will meet today’s standards.
Other activities completed prior to stripping out include the preliminary fire safety investigation and report.
Earlier this year the need to upgrade the electrical supply to the pavilion was identified. This is necessary given the higher demands that will be placed on the supply due to building heating requirements and the operation of the kitchen. National Grid will undertake this work, and we are awaiting wayleave consent from the council given that the new supply will run via underground cable from Broadway to the pavilion in the centre of the park.
The current estimated completion date is September 30th. Further updates on progress will be provided on a regular basis.
Here are some images of the work so far …
6 June – Looking at the plans
Demolition begins.
The old counter has gone!
12 June – Removal of the internal walls is opening up the space.
Starting repair work to the rotting timbers on the veranda.
16 June – Opening up the ceiling and roof space
