The Phoenix Group have secured a 10 year lease on the former Barclays Bank building, from local business, Lynbeth Properties. This will become a valuable, centrally located community building that will benefit everyone.

Now that the bank fittings have been removed the building has a vast ground floor and plans are now underway to convert this into community use as a meeting place and a youth social gathering spot, amongst others possible uses.

The group has already been given a £15,000 grant by North Walsham Town Council to install a fully disabled/ multi-use toilet, to be available to all residents, as well as a sensory room for the use of those with appropriate needs.

The basement vault will be converted into a professional performance and recording studio and will also allow the youth and others to gain access to music.

The upper two floors will become short-term office space. This will be used by start-up business and by health, social and other services for pop-up surgeries and meetings.

We really need your help to help make this happen. So we are asking if you would donate and invest in the future of services available here in North Walsham for everyone. Initially we are seeking your help in raising £20,000 towards the works to the ground floor meeting and social area. Everyone who contributes will be recorded, and honoured, on our community donors wall. This will be the peoples project

Offers of voluntary assistance with building and decorating works are welcome. If you can help the project in any way, then please get in touch with us at phoenixgroup.northwalsham@gmail.com

The Trustees of North Walsham Phoenix Group (Reg charity 1191554) are Mal Gray, Paul Oakes, Annie Abbs and Bob Wright.