The historic Angel in Brigg has reopened as a community hub as part of North Lincolnshire Council’s £5m community investment programme.
Ward councillors, including Leader of the Council Rob Waltham, and local MPs Andrew Percy and Holly Mumby Croft, gathered with council staff to mark the reopening of the transformed building in the town’s historic Market Place.
The work has included creating a new open plan library entrance, installing a community kitchen and training room, private meeting, activity and community rooms, open access computers, an interactive games table to stimulate both physical and cognitive activity and encourage social interaction and a new children’s library.
Staff can offer information, advice and guidance on all aspects of council services.
A ‘break-out’ room provides a direct link to every council department so it is possible for residents to have private conversations.
An innovative ‘magic table’ uses moving lights projected onto a table to provide games and stimulation for people with a cognitive challenge, from children with autism to older people with dementia.
There is also information on healthy lifestyles and support for jobseekers.
In the library, books are displayed to discourage handling, and are placed in 72-hour quarantine after they are returned.
The Angel is also home to Brigg Town Council, which now has new rooms on the top floor, and Brigg Heritage Centre, which remains on the first floor.
The Courtyard Café is also trading as usual from the ground floor.
Cllr Waltham said: “The Angel is a beautiful building which has long been the pride of Brigg. Now it can be a central hub for everyone.
“We want this to be a thriving space where we work with our local communities so they are able to improve their experience and enhance their quality of life. Residents are encouraged to come along and use these fantastic facilities now they are on their doorsteps.
“Our investment in local communities will continue, we have a strong track record of delivering for local people in our area and long may that continue.”
Cllr Carl Sherwood, cabinet member for stronger communities – rural, added: “This investment will help improve the customer experience and support residents to use Brigg town centre, have access to free parking and also hopefully support local businesses too.
“The council has invested heavily in rural areas and I am increasingly proud that residents will be enabled to access the council offer and support their choices better as a result of this extra investment in Brigg.”
The project forms part of a wider scheme by the council to redevelop community hubs to better meet the needs of individual communities by improving accessibility and functionality. The redevelopment follows transformations at The Market Hall in Crowle, the Baysgarth hub and Scunthorpe Central.
