From a disused paint factory to an award-winning Community Hub, Gorton Central has had a £1 million makeover transforming it into a thriving community asset.
Gorton Central is the headquarters of Healthy Me Healthy Communities from where we deliver the Gorton Community Grocer, resident-led workshops, employability skills training, and offer venue hire.
THE STORY SO FAR:
The original building was a paint factory owned by Johnstone's Paints. The factory closed and was donated to Manchester City Council which extended the space and brought it into community use.
A resident-led volunteer committee transformed the building into 'The Gorton Community Centre'.
Healthy Me Healthy Communities began deliver projects from the community centre. Essential refurbishments were completed and new community spaces created.
A community asset transfer of the building from Manchester City Council to Healthy Me Healthy Communities was completed and £1m of refurbishments began.
The story of Gorton Central began when, once upon a time, a local paint factory became the cherished Gorton Community Centre. Now, the baton (and paintbrush) has been handed over from the award-winning volunteer committee to our team at Healthy Me Healthy Communities CiC. The site includes a 1930’s building with a 1980’s hall extension, complete with a ‘Britain in Bloom Gold Award’ winning urban growing garden.
The future is bright and exciting, and at the heart of the vision is food as the starter for eating well, living well, enterprise and employment. We have been busy talking and consulting with residents and now it is time to share our story and vision, inviting you to be part of this wonderful Gorton story.
