It’s been a strange and turbulent time for small businesses, and the Hub has had some ups and downs like most hospitality venues over the last two years. However, we are delighted to be fully open for business once again with a new-look building, new people and much improved meeting spaces.
The Covid crisis highlighted the importance of the Hub, especially our ability to support the entire community with practical help. The Hub building, its staff and volunteers stepped up to the plate in a time of crisis. For those of you that do not know, this included a food bank, counselling support and doorstep services for prescriptions and food shopping for those who became lonely and isolated. This project, delivered during the first 2020 lockdown, was of historic importance, providing crucial help to literally hundreds of isolating and vulnerable Melbourn residents, delivered through a dedicated team of volunteers.
As 2020 came to a close we fondly thought that 2021 would be a better year. This unfortunately was not the case. A substantial new lockdown was again in place by January that lasted to mid-year. Again the Hub was forcibly closed. However, this closure proved to be a major opportunity.
Having already secured the needed finances from grants, the long-awaited upgrade and expansion of the Hub building was able to go ahead while the building was closed to business due the Covid lockdown.
After seven years of operation it had become clear that changes to the building layout would have major benefits. Staff and customers were thoroughly consulted on the best way of proceeding and formal plans were submitted to and approved by the planning authority. The upgraded Hub now has more and better meeting rooms, dedicated staff facilities, first and ground floor toilet facilities and increased general storage while being fully disability accessible and compliant The public spaces and building exterior were all repainted and remodelled with new furniture and decor to give a new-look Bookmark Café. The five star commercial kitchen was also improved and enlarged; now offering an even better range of freshly baked and cooked food.
The Community Library was of course included in the upgrade plans. The volunteer librarians now operate from the main desk as you enter the building, also benefitting from purpose built storage and better IT support facilities. Smart new graphics adorn the main public spaces with more improvements yet to come. Exciting plans are afoot in conjunction with wider county organisations to spice up the library offering, with readings by visiting authors and additional bespoke services especially for children.
Expanded Meeting Room Offer
Following the expansion and Upgrade the Hub now boasts four meeting rooms, two on each floor and all with ‘state of the art’ facilities.
When the Hub was first constructed there were only two meeting rooms, one on each of the ground and first floors. The new room facilities are standard in every room and are inclusive with room hire rates. Customers benefit from secure digital communications, ceiling-fitted projectors and motorised screens and air-conditioning. Most importantly the new rooms offer privacy and seclusion to customers who are looking for confidentiality, such as Relate and Citizens Advice. The ground floor rooms are finished to be compliant with healthcare uses, such as NHS clinics.
With the onsite catering facilities to hand our room hire customers can naturally enjoy in-room catering or visit the Bookmark Café for meals and refreshments.
Special offers are often available so make sure you ask when booking your room! First floor meeting rooms now have toilet facilities near by with full disabled access.
Book a room here
You can also email hubadmin@melbournhub.co.uk with any enquiries you may have or phone on 01763 263303 #1. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook @TheHubMelbourn
We look forward to welcoming you in 2022
We are proud to be fully open, offering the Café, Library and Room Hire facilities in a modern and welcoming environment. Our takeaways are ever increasing in popularity and we are now offering a ‘delivered or collection’ outside buffet service for customers who want catering support for parties or business lunches.
Exciting community events are planned as we anticipate fully returning fully to normality in the spring and welcoming even more people through the doors. Don’t miss the 13th March Craft Fair and our Mother’s Day Lunch and Easter Gifts event on March 27th!
Melbourn Hub Management Team
