Lancaster's Gregson Centre to re-open next week after £27,000 Crowdfunding boost

Billy Pye, from the Gregson, in Moor Gate, said a Crowdfunding campaign had raised almost £27,000, and would help the team to re-open the building and get the bar up and running again.

When the Gregson re-opens it will be run entirely as a charity by a board of trustees meaning all profits will be reinvested back into the community to enrich the cultural life of the city.

Billy said: "We got the keys to the building back at the end of August, and the building had suffered quite a lot during the lockdown.

"It had deteriorated quite a lot, it was damp and mouldy so there was a big job to do.

"The Crowdfunding is going really well, and currently it stands at just under £27,000.

"This money will help us to re-open the building, employ people and get the bar up and running again when we are able to do that."

He added that the bar would operate from the main room in the first instance, on weekends only, before returning to the bar room in mid June.

To support the Crowdfunding campaign, visit HERE.The Gregson Arts and Community Centre is home to many local organisations and groups as well as a favoured spot for local promoters bringing in a wide range of popular cultural events over the year.

It offers a variety of rooms for private hire including parties, celebrations, meetings, and activity groups.

THE ‘Gregson Memorial Institute’, aka today’s Gregson Arts and Community Centre, was built in memory of Henry Gregson MP and local benefactor, with funds raised by Christchurch Vicarage.

Designed by the renowned architects Austin and Paley, the Gregson was completed in 1894 with the addition of the Bartlett Hall (named after the first Vicar of Christchurch).

Christ Church Parish sold the Gregson in 1983 to the Freehold Community Association Charity (FCA) to run as a community centre for the local area of benefit.