Bristol community centre announces 'unfortunate' closure due to redevelopment plans

Filwood Community Centre, on Filwood Broadway in Knowle West, says it will shut for around 12 months for the £10m refurbishment and expansion project.  

The planning application for the 86-year-old building, part of a £15m government-funded regeneration project in Filwood, was submitted this week.        

The community centre anticipates building work will start at the end of this year or the start of 2025, after a contractor has been appointed.  

A Filwood Community Centre spokesperson said: “Unfortunately, the scale of the work involved throughout the building means we’ll have to close for around 12 months.    

“We looked at options for phasing the work but ultimately concluded that the safest and most efficient way to get everything done is to close completely.

“However, that does not mean we will stop operating as a community centre, things will just be a little different for a while. 

“We're talking to a number of local organisations to secure space for us to use during the closure so that we can continue offering space for our regular users as well as for creative activities and community workshops.

“Bristol City Council has also been working with our tenants to secure temporary space during the building work and they have all been updated on the plans.”

The community centre says work will begin with the demolition of an old skittle alley at the back of the site.    

It is set to be replaced with a new two-storey building, should the planning application be approved.   

The spokesperson added: “While it may seem a shame to lose this part of the building we can assure you that it’s not; this part of the building has been in a state of severe disrepair for an exceedingly long time and is not safe to use.” 

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As well as a new home for Filwood Library, which is currently based further down the street in a 1960s building, the plans for the centre include improved spaces for events and community groups, alongside office space for long-term users. 

There are hopes the main hall in the building could become a music venue, with a cafe and nursery also being explored as potential additions to the centre.          

The Levelling Up funds for the area will also see a redesign of the Filwood high street and a new multi-use games area created nearby, while a new playpark has already opened outside the front of the centre.      

Last month BristolWorld revealed how work has now started on building 30 new homes and a small supermarket on the site of a former 1930s art deco cinema on the street, which was demolished last year.    

There are also new homes set to be built on an empty swimming baths site on the street, but housing association LiveWest pulled its 29 home planning application last year.