Community Hall Flooring

Holy Cross Church (HCC) hall is located next door to the church in Bersted, Bognor Regis. The hall was initially constructed in the 1920’s and renovated to a high standard in 2000. The single storey brick building offers users a large hall, kitchen, toilets, conservatory, garden and car park. The hall is used daily by a wide variety of community groups including a dementia group that offers two respite sessions each week, including a lunch prepared in the kitchen, a variety of yoga and exercise classes, a dance school for children and those with special needs, uniformed groups and for support groups and chat and craft. Other groups and charities use the facilities for monthly meetings or on a more ad hoc basis. The floors within the building were laid 25 years ago and the majority have become a serious trip hazard due to blistering and splitting. The state of the flooring has been raised by users for many years, and although running repairs have been completed where possible, this is no longer viable. Additionally, potential users for private events have been put off hiring the facilities due to the ripped and damaged floors. There is fear amongst users that the facilities could close if the flooring deteriorates much more, and there is a distinct lack of alternative and affordable venues in the area to accommodate groups. The committee has sought costs to self-fund new flooring, but due to the cost and limited reserves it has available, members realised that it would need to seek grant funding. Biffa Award has been approached to fully fund the project to replace all flooring throughout the building to include an engineered wooden floor in the main hall, non-slip vinyl flooring for the kitchen and toilets and a new mat at the entrance.