Refurbishments and improvements to The Hub 2019/20
It seems no time since The Hub opened in 2011 following a Community Asset Transfer from WLC and refurbishment in 2010/11. Time and the Scottish weather have not been too kind to F&BV CDT’s building. Many leaks later, the building has had an overdue upgrade to keep the rain out and the heat in.
The Hub has a brand new sign, replacement shutters, the heating upgraded and a new coat of paint inside. Everything looks lovely and fresh. Stonework, roofing and guttering repairs have also been completed. All work completed was weather and guideline dependent.
This work was funded by the Scottish Government’s Town Centre Fund, a fund administered and managed by West Lothian Council. F&BV CDT were delighted to receive the award at the end of 2019.
What an improvement, we’re sure you’ll agree. It is now an older building Fauldhouse can be proud of again.
As with the rest of the country, The Hub was temporarily closed due to Covid 19 with staff working remotely while some of this work was completed and at F&BV CDT’s other building, the Eastfield Development Centre.
The Hub’s offices were cleaned and Covid sprayed, ready for when Scottish Government guidelines allowed staff to work from the building again in a safe manner. The F&BV CDT team are now back in the building.
The Hub, external work in progress
10 Main Street, May 2020
The original refurbishment 2010/11
F&BV CDT bought a building to create a self-sustaining facility for the communities of Fauldhouse and the Breich Valley.
Ownership of 10 Main Street, Fauldhouse was obtained on 31 March 2010. 95% of the purchase price was awarded by the Big Lottery Growing Community Assets fund and the remaining 5% came from LEADER (European funding).
10 Main Street during its original refurbishment
The building refurbishment was completed by May 2011. Funding for the construction works and new equipment needed came from the Lottery Growing Community Assets fund, The Levenseat Trust (Landfill Tax), Third Sector Enterprise Fund (Scottish Government) and LEADER (European funds).
The Hub provides premises for the F&BV CDT and is the base for the F&BV CDT’s current and future projects. The Breich Valley Information Service and then the West Lothian Social Enterprise Network (WLSEN) have been housed in The Hub through the years.
The interior being refurbished
Initial running costs have been mostly grant funded (by the Lottery), with an ever increasing amount raised through income generation. Income is raised from room rentals and project management. The intention is for the building to be self-sustaining.
Here are some of the ideas for The Hub that came from our original community consultation
- A venue for positive activities for local people, including health walks, youth events, arts & crafts/sewing/cooking workshops and a Community Cinema
- Retail space for small social economy groups and local businesses
- Office space for voluntary organisations and social economy groups
- Printing and administration services for community groups, social economy groups and local businesses
- An outreach venue for various West Lothian-wide agencies involved with employment, business start-up assistance, skills training, volunteering, youth projects etc.
- A coffee area for people to socialise (without alcohol) and meet informally
- A soft play area for pre-school children
- A gallery for local artists and educational displays
- Access to all types of information
Solar Electricity PV (Photovoltaic) Panels
Renewable Resources Scotland Ltd installed solar cells to the roof to generate our own electricity from the sun. We could meet a big part of our electricity costs, whilst reducing our carbon footprint, over the next 25 years.
