Work begins on ‘stuff of dreams’ youth centre refurb

Ground has been broken on the Liverpool community centre’s site – the first stage of a major £4m renovation of The Bronte and its youth facilities.

Contractor Truline Construction will complete the works, with a set finish date of spring 2025.

Once works have finished, the centre will continue to offer its wide range of programmes for young people aged 5-18 and up to 25 for SEND – to foster a sense of pride and community support.

The Bronte, located in Liverpool City Centre off Brownlow Hill, has been running as a community hub for more than 50 years.

The centre provides community-oriented activities, education and skill development, sports offerings, and the hosting of social events.

Funding for the refurbishment was secured from the Youth Investment Fund Grant – which has the stated objective of funding “youth projects which will support thousands of young people to have improved mental and physical wellbeing, and skills for life and work”.

The Youth Investment Fund Grant received by The Bronte was worth £3.4m. The Bronte Centre will embark on a fundraising campaign to cover a shortfall of more than £750,000 for the build, which will start in the coming weeks.

Laura Cain, The Bronte’s centre manager, said: “I am so excited, proud, and privileged to be a part of this, and to see the Bronte thrive again.” Credit: The Bronte

Laura Cain, centre manager for The Bronte, said: “This really is the stuff of dreams for The Bronte and our community.

“This renovation work on our building is beyond anything we could have envisaged for The Bronte, and the impact it is going to have not only on our young people and local community but the wider community is immeasurable”, she added.

Mike Hyde, managing director of Truline Construction, said: “The vision for the large-scale refurbishment of the building is to provide a beautiful, open, and welcoming space to deliver their youth and community services.”

The project’s team includes Harrison Stringfellow Architects, Q Two Consulting, Max Fordham, Rise Construction Framework, Elliot Bond Consulting, and BCA Landscapes.