Update 30th September 2025
Work is progressing well on the creation of The Link Centre, Ashbourne’s new community hub. Led by Ashbourne Methodist Church, the project is transforming the existing church buildings on the corner of Church Street and Station Road. In the latest development, the structure of a foyer with step-free access from street level is in now place, so it’s possible to see how it will link the different parts of the building. The foyer will connect the three current buildings into one accessible venue with new and renovated rooms of various sizes, for use by the community.
Once complete, the building to be known as The Link Centre will be a huge asset to the town, serving local residents, businesses and visitors. Good progress has been made over the summer, where the newly-renovated Trinity Hall is currently temporary home for Cornerstone Coffee House while the coffee house building is being upgraded. When finished, the hall will be used as a large events, worship & conference space and will attract performances to Ashbourne as well as supporting local performing arts groups.
Meanwhile, work is ongoing in the Cornerstone Coffee House building, where rooms have been reconfigured and a new doorway which connects to the foyer has been created, along with an opening for a new servery and space for an accessible toilet. Inside the new building, smaller meeting rooms are now being worked on as part of a suite of conference rooms of various sizes that will be available for community and business use.
Work is also continuing at pace in Gateway Lodge, which is being remodelled to provide affordable, high-quality visitor accommodation. Over recent weeks, services have been installed, and the en-suite rooms have been created and plastered. The next step will be to work on the new dining area and garden room. Gateway Lodge will be suitable for families and community groups, bringing extra footfall and visitor spend to the local economy.
Outside, a community garden and outdoor event space is planned for the land alongside the Henmore Brook, with the garden also designed to provide habitat value to birds and insects and protect the natural habitat on the bank of the brook.
The redevelopment of Ashbourne Methodist Church’s buildings is one of two major projects in the UK Government funded Ashbourne Reborn programme. Together with improvements to the highways and public spaces, led by the County Council, the changes are designed to bring back vibrancy, vitality and economic prosperity to Ashbourne town centre.
Ashbourne Methodist Church had been working on transforming their building into a hub for the community for a number of years before the possibility of central Government funding. By the time of applying for funding, the church had already developed detailed plans, received planning permission and raised significant funds. The well-developed proposal for the community hub was a key factor in the eventual success of the Ashbourne Reborn programme partnership bid. The church, which is a registered charity, has committed to raising significant match funding towards the redevelopment, and church partners have also contributed expertise to support and deliver the proposals for the benefit of the local community.
The Ashbourne Reborn proposals originated from businesses and community groups within the town. Ashbourne Reborn is a partnership scheme involving Ashbourne Town Team, Ashbourne Town Council and AshCom, with delivery of the Highways and Public Realm project being led by Derbyshire County Council and the Link Community Hub by Ashbourne Methodist Church.
To receive email updates, sign up for the newsletter at the District Council website www.derbyshiredales.gov.uk/enewsreg (tick the box for Ashbourne Reborn), or visit the Ashbourne Reborn website www.ashbournereborn.co.uk for the latest news, FAQs and detailed information about the project. To follow on social media, find @AshbourneReborn on Facebook, Instagram.
