Woodside Community Centre is set to reopen in spring 2027, with plans progressing for Chime Housing to take on the running of the venue and create a welcoming, vibrant space for local residents...
Following the announcement of Chime Housing as the preferred bidder in spring 2026, significant progress has been made towards bringing the centre back into community use.
Chime Housing's business case has now been developed and approved by its Board, and Watford Borough Council is progressing a lease agreement that will enable Chime Housing to operate Woodside as a community centre, offering a range of activities, services and opportunities for local people.
As part of the next phase, Chime Housing is engaging with key stakeholders, community groups and residents in the local area to help shape the future use of the centre. This will include discussions about the types of activities and services local people would like to see, opportunities for existing community groups and how the building can best support the needs of the wider community.
There will be a meeting being held at Combewood, Horseshoe Lane, at 6pm on Tuesday 18 November if people are interested in being part of a resident stakeholder group. There will also be more engagement events in future.
Chime Housing will also fund a programme of refurbishment works to improve accessibility and create a more welcoming, attractive and vibrant environment for everyone who uses the centre.
Following the completion of these improvements, the centre is expected to reopen in spring 2027.
Elected Mayor of Watford, Peter Taylor, said: “It’s fantastic to see the plans for Woodside Community Centre taking another important step forward.
“Chime Housing has a track record of running community centres, including Harebreaks and Leavesden Green, and I'm really pleased that we're now progressing towards an agreement that will see Woodside brought back into use.
“With Chime Housing investing in improvements to the building and working closely with local residents to shape what happens there, we have a real opportunity to create a welcoming and successful community centre that meets the needs of the area.
“I look forward to seeing Woodside reopen its doors in spring 2027 and once again become a place where people can come together, take part in activities and feel connected to their local community.”
A spokesperson for Chime Housing said: “We're delighted to be making progress with our plans for Woodside Community Centre and are excited about the opportunity to bring this important community space back to life.
“Our focus is on creating a welcoming, accessible and sustainable centre that reflects what local residents want and need. Over the coming months, we'll be speaking with community groups and stakeholders to help shape the activities and opportunities available, while also investing in improvements to the building.
“We're looking forward to working with Watford Borough Council and the local community to make Woodside a thriving hub that people can enjoy for years to come.”
Further updates on the refurbishment programme, community engagement and reopening plans will be shared as work progresses.
