Chime Housing will run Woodside Community Centre and fund a refurbishment before it reopens. Residents can join a stakeholder group at a meeting on 18 November.
Woodside Community Centre in Watford is expected to reopen in spring 2027, run by Chime Housing, which will pay for a refurbishment of the building first. Residents who want a say in what happens there can join a stakeholder group at a meeting at 6pm on Tuesday 18 November.
Watford Borough Council announced the progress on 10 November. Chime Housing was named preferred bidder to take on the centre in spring 2026. Since then its Board has approved Chime’s business case, and the council is now working on a lease that would let Chime operate Woodside as a community centre.
What happens next
Chime Housing is talking to stakeholders, community groups and residents nearby about how the centre should be used. The council says those discussions cover:
- the activities and services local people would like to see
- opportunities for existing community groups
- how the building can best support the wider community
Chime will also fund a programme of refurbishment works, which the council says are meant to improve accessibility and make the centre “more welcoming, attractive and vibrant” for everyone who uses it. The reopening follows once those works are done.
“Brought back into use”
Elected Mayor of Watford Peter Taylor said: “It’s fantastic to see the plans for Woodside Community Centre taking another important step forward.
“Chime Housing has a track record of running community centres, including Harebreaks and Leavesden Green, and I’m really pleased that we’re now progressing towards an agreement that will see Woodside brought back into use.
“With Chime Housing investing in improvements to the building and working closely with local residents to shape what happens there, we have a real opportunity to create a welcoming and successful community centre that meets the needs of the area.
“I look forward to seeing Woodside reopen its doors in spring 2027 and once again become a place where people can come together, take part in activities and feel connected to their local community.”
A spokesperson for Chime Housing said: “We’re delighted to be making progress with our plans for Woodside Community Centre and are excited about the opportunity to bring this important community space back to life.
“Our focus is on creating a welcoming, accessible and sustainable centre that reflects what local residents want and need. Over the coming months, we’ll be speaking with community groups and stakeholders to help shape the activities and opportunities available, while also investing in improvements to the building.
“We’re looking forward to working with Watford Borough Council and the local community to make Woodside a thriving hub that people can enjoy for years to come.”
What it means for you
- Want a say? Go to the meeting at Combewood, Horseshoe Lane, at 6pm on Tuesday 18 November if you are interested in joining the resident stakeholder group. The council says more engagement events will follow.
- Run a community group? Chime says it will be speaking with community groups over the coming months, and opportunities for existing groups are part of those talks.
- When can you use it? Not before spring 2027. The council says it will share updates on the refurbishment, the engagement and the reopening plans as work progresses.
More on what is changing in the town’s council-owned buildings: Watford Town Hall Café to be run by the Tasty Bean team.
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