Performers, poets and pop-ups will be on hand for the weekend opening of Swindon's new community hub.
Based in the former River Island building, Swindon Hub will provide a welcoming café and community arts space, areas for meetings and events and pop-up stands for start-up businesses and local traders.
The project has been brought together by a group of volunteers, united in their aim to bring life to the town centre, to support communities and people from all Swindon, and to raise awareness of issues around climate and sustainability.
“It’s been a long haul with plenty of ups and downs - but we’re finally ready to open our doors this weekend,” says Ed Colton, one of the volunteers behind the project.
The Hub will be open daily between 11am to 6pm, and closed on Mondays.
Poets and performers will be providing entertainment throughout the opening weekend, and the Hub cafe will be ready with hot drinks, sandwiches and samosas.
To celebrate the opening of Swindon Hub, a special exhibition of local photographers’ images under the theme ‘Celebrating Swindon’ will be on display.
Underlining the Hub’s strong environmental ethos, a special session will hear from Swindon residents who took part in the COP26 conference in Glasgow this week. Taking place at 12 noon tomorrow (Saturday, 6 December), the presentations and discussion will look at the global picture as well as what local action is needed.
The project also hopes to support the regeneration of Swindon’s town centre, targeting the problem of empty shops and the need for a community space where groups and individuals can interact, exchange ideas, and share resources in a sustainable, low cost venue.
“We want the local community to be at the heart of deciding what happens at the Hub. It really is a project by the community, for the community,” said Natalie North, another of the volunteers behind the project. “We want anyone interested to pop in, have a chat or send us an email.”
People can find more information about Swindon Hub on Facebook or at www.swindonhub.org.uk
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