The former Top Club working men’s club in Ashbrow, Kirklees, is being transformed into a vital community hub thanks to a collaboration between Local Services 2 You, Willmott Dixon, and the local emergency services.

The club was recently taken over by Local Services 2 You, a group of community businesses whose ambition is to turn it into a centre of education, digital technology, culture, and heritage for local people. However, before that happens, it needs modernisation and renovation to ensure it is safe and fit for purpose.

Therefore, over the next few months, the building will be transformed by Willmott Dixon, its local supply chain businesses and volunteers from West Yorkshire Police and West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service alongside West Yorkshire Combined Authority, Kirklees Local TV and members of the community.

The volunteers will:

• carry out surveys of the centre’s electrical and fire safety, its drainage system and existing damage to the roof
• redecorate the entire interior of the building with donated materials, reupholstering seating areas, fixing leaks and replacing fixtures, replacing old flooring and also giving it a fresh coat of paint

When complete, the transformed Top Club will enable Local Services 2 You, who also run the nearby Chestnut Centre, ‘create success, deliver excellent services and generate opportunities for local people’.

The transformation project is being led by Willmott Dixon, which is currently delivering both a new police HQ in Dewsbury for West Yorkshire Police and a new headquarters, training centre and fire station for West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service in Birkenshaw. Both projects have been procured through SCAPE.

Focus on social value and legacy

As part of its shared commitment to the local economy, across both projects, Willmott Dixon has so far invested £18m with local businesses within 20 miles of its sites. It has delivered 161 weeks of apprenticeships and 369 hours of support to help get under 24-year-olds into work and more than 30 weeks of training opportunities. Both projects are being built for local people by local people with an average of 50% of the project workforce themselves living within 20 miles of the sites.

Willmott Dixon’s Yorkshire director Chris Yates said:

“We’re delighted to play our part in helping our friends at Local Services 2 You continue to provide invaluable support to this community. A huge thank you to absolutely all our brilliant volunteers. I can’t wait to see this become a safe and welcoming space inspiring, engaging and creating opportunities for everyone.”

The project was carried out as part of social value work Willmott Dixon has been undertaking as part of its contract with West Yorkshire Police to build the new the District Headquarters for Kirklees.

The club itself was identified by partners, including local officers in Kirklees, as an excellent opportunity for investment and Kirklees District Police has been pleased to be involved in the scheme as it has developed.

Chief Superintendent Jim Griffiths, District Commander for Kirklees Police, said:

“We are committed to delivering social value for our communities through major contracts such as the building of the Kirklees District Headquarters, and are delighted at the investment in Kirklees our contractor Willmott Dixon is providing.

“Our own officers and staff have contributed to this worthwhile project at the Top Club, and I would also like to thank them for their efforts. We believe that this new centre will be a vital asset for the community of Deighton and look forward to seeing what opportunities it provides for people in the area.”

West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service’s Assistant Chief Fire Officer and Programme Lead for the Birkenshaw Fire Service Headquarters Development, Nick Smith added:

“The investment that Willmott Dixon are making locally will have a real benefit to our communities now, and in the future. We’re delighted to be supporting the development of this centre in the heart of Deighton and I echo everyone’s thanks to our partners and crews who have taken the time to get involved to get the project to this stage.”

West Yorkshire’s Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, Alison Lowe OBE said:

“Having safer places and thriving communities is one of the main priorities of our Police and Crime Plan for West Yorkshire. This project plays a big part in achieving our ambitions, and we are pleased to support this work. It will ultimately mean that more people in the Ashbrow area have access to the support and facilities they need to flourish.”

A special thank you to the local supply chain businesses who volunteered their time, expertise and materials:

• Guarding UK
• SES Engineering Services
• OFR Consultants
• Lucion
• IKO
• LSS
• Wingate
• Ramfabs
• Akzo Nobel
• JIG UK