Henley Memorial Hall is delighted to announce that it has successfully secured a £42,500 grant from Stratford-on-Avon District Council’s Community Grant Scheme 2025 to carry out vital entrance hall improvements.
Originally opened in 1908 and dedicated as a living war memorial for the town in 1946, Henley Memorial Hall has stood as the beating heart of the local community for nearly 120 years. Today, it hosts a vibrant calendar of community groups and activities, from badminton, dance, and film screenings to health sessions, arts and drama productions, and private celebrations.
The upcoming refurbishment tackles one of the building’s biggest challenges: the main entrance. The current foyer features draughty, single-glazed units dating back to the 1960s alongside heavy, outdated manual doors that can present significant barriers for visitors with mobility aids, pushchairs, or additional access needs.
The grant-funded project will transform the entrance through:
Automated Accessible Doors: Replacing the heavy manual doors with modern, automated access, ensuring every member of the community can enter with ease.
Modern Glazing & Thermal Efficiency: Replacing failing 1960s single-glazing to cut heat loss, lower carbon emissions, and keep the foyer comfortable year-round.
Digital Key Fob Access: Streamlining entry arrangements for club organisers and hall hirers, while reducing the day-to-day burden on community volunteers.
CCTV & Enhanced Security: Upgrading safety and monitoring systems to protect the hall and its users.
Ian Smedley, Chairman of the Memorial Hall Management Committee, said:
"This grant is a tremendous boost for everyone who loves and uses the Hall. It allows us to honour our building's history by ensuring it remains completely welcoming, inclusive, and accessible to the entire community. It also allows us to further our commitment to a greener, more sustainable future for the hall, and we can't wait to see these improvements come to life."
Works on the entrance are scheduled to commence later this year. Regular hall activities will continue, and the committee will keep the community updated as construction dates and installation phases approach.
For full details on the grant award and the history of the Memorial Hall, visit the official feature on Stratford-on-Avon District Council’s website.