Opening date for Wellington arts hub

Work is underway on the cafe and bar, as well as the 63-seat cinema area on the ground floor.

There will also be multi-purpose rooms on the upper floors and basement that community groups will be able to use.

There will be a chance for people to display artwork and develop arts activities.

Sophie Eades, chief officer of the centre, said: “In the last couple of months, work has progressed really well at Wellington Orbit, with a complete refurbishment of the ground floor.

“That includes new flooring, new projection screen and seats, a completely new commercial kitchen and servery area, as well as a new staircase to the first floor.

“The plans are to open the ground floor first, with the café area and cinema, so that our community can start to use the centre as soon as possible and then renovate the second floor, where rooms will be available for a range of different community activities.”

“We cannot thank our contractor enough, as they are working really hard to keep to the schedule.”

Generations

Wellington Town Council chose to use its £150,000 Telford 50 Legacy Fund grant to support the Wellington Orbit project.

The grant is part of a £750,000 scheme funded by Telford & Wrekin Council’s £2m Telford 50 Legacy fund.

It will give £150,000 to the borough’s five main town councils, including Wellington.

Councillor Cindy Mason-Morris, mayor of Wellington, said: “This is perhaps the most exciting community led project in Wellington’s recent history and will benefit generations to come – a great legacy of Telford’s 50th anniversary.

“It will provide people with the arts and cultural centre they’ve been asking for, for many years.

“It is set to become a key meeting point, attracting people to spend more time and money in Wellington.

“It will also create new jobs and volunteering opportunities.

“We do hope it will become a focal point for people in the community as well as boosting local businesses.”

Councillor Lee Carter, cabinet member for economic development said: “The refurbishment or purchase of community buildings and facilities is one of the key themes people have told us they wanted the Telford 50 legacy funding to support.

“We are delighted that this grant is helping this long sought- after cinema and arts centre become a reality very soon after a five year campaign by the Clifton Group.”

The fund was set up after Telford celebrated its 50th birthday on November 29.

Milestone

It marked the date of the Designation of the New Town, a significant milestone in the on-going development of Telford and was seen as “fantastic opportunity for communities to come together to celebrate”.

For further information about the fund, and the celebrations that took place last year, go to telford50.co.uk