Claygate Courier—issue 57—October 2025
Pages 1 and 6
SEARCH IS ON FOR BIDDERS TO RUN CENTRE
Many more volunteers will be needed to help run Claygate Centre in Elm Road once its operation has been handed over to a new management community group after Elmbridge Borough Council ceases direct management next year.
Elmbridge will be choosing a new organisation to run the Centre in mid December following a rapid search for a management group. So far, there are three potential bidders to take on a lease of the Centre, one of which involves a group of Claygate residents.
The need to find new management follows extensive consultation work undertaken on behalf of Elmbridge Borough Council this year. One key recommendation was for a Connected Communities strategy under which Elmbridge would cease directly managing all of its community centres and seek community groups to take them over and run them for the benefit of the community under a lease arrangement with Elmbridge. The idea is that this would free up funds to assist a wider section of the community who need support, as well as potentially saving £1m. This policy has been approved by Elmbridge Borough Council.
There have been meetings to clarify the timescale for submitting a bid to take over a community centre lease, as well as to establish Elmbridge's requirements and expectations of a bidder.
There are three potential bidders for Claygate Centre and the Parish Council is keen to support bidders and anyone interested in providing services and activities at the Centre or hiring the venue. The final date for formal submission of a bid is November 14. The tight and challenging deadline is largely a consequence of the forthcoming transition of Surrey into unitary authorities. Elmbridge expects to decide on the winning bidder for the lease in mid-December.
But whoever takes over will need more volunteers than ever. The successful bidder for the lease will inevitably seek to make greater use of the building for a wider section of the community and be dependent on volunteers to help make things happen. The Parish Council will provide updates and announcements on notice boards and social media. Help, thoughts and ideas from all Claygate residents are needed.
In the meantime Claygate Centre remains open for business for members of the public as well as Centre members. The tea bar provides tea, coffee, sandwiches, toasties and cakes at affordable prices, Activities for Centre members, such as chair-based exercises and yoga, and services such as hairdressing and podiatry, remain available. Lunch is still available daily for Centre members with entertainment on Thursday afternoon.
The recent visit of pet therapy animals also proved to be very popular. And the annual Christmas Fayre will take place at the Centre on Thursday November 20 from 10am to noon; everyone is welcome.
