Work has begun to transform a disused and derelict part of Crowborough Station into a new community hub.
The plan is to convert the space so it can be used as a new community space, including by the Crowborough Pantry which provides surplus food from supermarkets to avoid waste.
The group behind the plans, who intend registering as a charity, have been given £50,000 by Southern Rail through the “Your Station, Your Community Fund” to repair and refurbish the station building for use by the community.
It is holding a pre-launch open event to give residents a glimpse of what’s to come on 18 July between 11.30am and 1.30pm.
The work involves the refurbishment of the ground floor of the western part of the station buildings which currently is very dilapidated internally. The previous use was as site offices for the construction of the bridge and lifts over the railway track.
Part of the community hub space will be used by Crowborough Pantry which collects surplus food from local supermarkets and makes available to everybody on a voluntary donation basis.
The other half will be an activity area available for use by local groups and charities. The Hub will be a community organisation run by volunteers, funded by donations and grants. Two new pairs of entrance doors are to be fitted to enable access for wheelchairs, means of escape and to enable the two areas to be used individually without imposing on each other.
If you want to get involved and help out with the Community Hub project visit their Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558173485201