A SCOUT hall in Haughton Green is set for a major makeover after securing more than £80,000 in funding to help turn it into a modern community hub.
The 1st Haughton Green Scout Group has been awarded £80,820 from Tameside Council’s Pride in Place Impact Fund to refurbish the Key Scout Centre on Gibraltar Lane.
The investment will help secure the future of the building, which has served local families for generations but is now in need of improvements to meet the demands of a growing community.
Planned work includes installing new heating and controls, refurbishing toilets, creating a modern kitchen and improving accessibility.
The project will also see upgraded fire doors, additional storage, electrical improvements, internal repairs, redecoration and new external signage.
Work is expected to be completed by March 2027.
As well as improving facilities for the Scout group, the plans aim to open up the building to wider community use, providing a more welcoming and affordable space for local organisations and residents.
Lead volunteer Neal Charlton said: “The investment is about more than improving a building.
“It is intended to support the recovery, long-term sustainability and growth of Scouting in Haughton Green while expanding the centre’s role as an affordable, inclusive community venue.”
The group hopes to double its Scout membership from 30 to 60 young people within two years, while increasing community bookings from four to at least seven each week.
The refurbishment will focus on improving the existing building rather than replacing it, helping to reduce construction waste and retain embodied carbon.
Tameside Council Executive Leader, Councillor Eleanor Wills, said: “The Pride in Place Impact Fund is about investing in the places and organisations that sit at the heart of our communities.
“This funding will help transform the Scout centre into a safe and accessible space that will benefit the area for years.
“As well as supporting more young people to access the opportunities that Scouting provides, these improvements will create a welcoming community hub that can be used by local people.
“It’s a great example of how Pride in Place funding is helping to strengthen community assets, increase opportunities for residents, and build pride in our neighbourhoods.”
1st Haughton Green Scout Group runs Beavers, Cubs and Scouts sections, giving children opportunities to make friends, try new activities, enjoy outdoor adventures and develop confidence and skills for life.
The £80,820 award is one of 24 projects to benefit from the third and final round of Tameside’s Pride in Place Impact Fund.