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The Link Project, led by Ashbourne Methodist Church, is a multi-million pound renovation project which will see the existing Church buildings being transformed into a Community Hub. The development project will result in the creation of The Link Centre and Gateway Lodge.

Key Features:

• Entrance & foyer – A new street level foyer with a floor to ceiling glass frontage. This new community hub space will be at the heart of the project as it will link all the buildings together. 
• Three halls -The main worship hall is being transformed into a multi-functional space with flexible seating for worship, conferences, live performances and events. The two additional halls are also being refurbished and will be ideal for meetings, community events and exhibitions.
• Meeting rooms – Three new modern meeting rooms with built AV will feature as part of the new facilities.
• Café – The services and space offered  by the existing Cornerstone Coffee House will be expanded to ensure the venue can accommodate the forecasted increase in people visiting community hub.
• Accommodation – The rebranded Gateway Lodge will provide modern, quality, affordable ensuite accommodation, continuing our social purpose and supporting the local visitor economy. It will offer accommodation for up to 35 people across seven ensuite bedrooms.
• Community Garden – Accessible Community garden with seating and a lawned area leading down to Henmore Brook.

The Link Project is part of Ashbourne Reborn, a programme designed to bring back vibrancy, vitality and economic prosperity to Ashbourne town centre. The total programme will cost £15.2m of which the UK Government is funding £13.4m. The Link Project is one of the key parts of Ashbourne Reborn and the estimated cost is £7.1 m. of which £5.0m is being funded by the UK Government.

The project will contribute towards the reinvigoration of Ashbourne for locals and visitors. Ashbourne has long been a visitor destination due to the beautiful listed architecture and range of independent shops. Over many years several of the buildings have fallen into disrepair detracting from the visitor experience, and COVID has further contributed to the number of empty shops and reduced employment rates.

The project will safeguard, celebrate and breath new life into the landmark buildings of the Methodist Church, and integrated with modern high quality design will help the town to protect and enhance its iconic architectural status, as well as providing employment and volunteer opportunities. The community hub will create new cultural activities and will support arts organisations. These have been proven to improve lives, regenerate neighbourhoods, support local economies, attracts visitors and bring people together. This will have a large impact across a wide area as Ashbourne is a shopping and leisure destination for many people.

The Link Centre and Gateway Lodge will include a conference centre that will be able to host large conferences for up to 350 delegates, trade shows, exhibitions and small meetings across a selection of spaces. In summary the venue will consist of;

• One large conference hall.
• Two medium sized halls.
• Three new meeting rooms.
• Cornerstone Coffee House offering delegate catering.
• Accommodation for delegates in Gateway Lodge.
• Community garden.

The Link Centre and Gateway Lodge will ensure Ashbourne enhances its regional visitor economy, providing an attractive and vibrant environment that draws in residents, visitors and businesses and re-establishes its identity as a flourishing market town.

The main benefits include;

• Enable people to meet, gather and integrate
• Enhance vibrancy and create footfall through the creation of a performing arts and community venue with a programme of diverse cultural, social and economic events.
• Significantly increase and diversify the town centre offer and provide a valued modern space for meetings, flexible working and community events.
• Further enhance the capture of spend from the visitor economy, thanks to the improved accommodation at Gateway Lodge
• A co-located mobility hub will provide information on a range of sustainable travel options and it connects directly into the National Park via the Tissington trail and the A515.
• Provide job and volunteer opportunities, to help people to improve their community and their wellbeing
• Transform the accessibility of the facilities, ensuring the diversified offer can be enjoyed by the widest possible range of residents and visitors
• Support local businesses by providing valued meeting space with high quality digital connectivity

It was only due to the £5.0m UK Government funding that the Ashbourne Methodist Church was able to embark on such an ambitious project. The Church’s aim is to raise £2.1m. to cover the additional funds required. To date, over £1.2m has been raised with £700,000 from significant generous donations from Church members and people outside the Church and a further £500,000 from grant- making organisations. The fund raising team is actively working to secure further funding.