More than £3.7million is set to be invested in refurbishing and modernising Lewsey Community Centre and Bury Park Community Centre, as Luton Council moves ahead with plans to turn the buildings into future-proofed community hubs.
The funding, approved through the council’s capital programme, will be used to create more flexible and accessible spaces designed to better meet the needs of local residents, community organisations and service providers.
To allow the work to take place, Lewsey Community Centre will partially close from 15 February. The refurbishment is expected to be completed by late summer or early autumn 2026. Bury Park Community Centre will close fully later this summer, with reopening anticipated around nine months after work begins.
During the partial closure at Lewsey, some groups will continue to operate from the centre. Where this is not possible, activities will be temporarily relocated to nearby community centres. Library services will continue throughout the works, with operations moving temporarily to Lewsey Learning Centre to ensure residents can still access services.
At Lewsey Community Centre, plans include a redesigned entrance with the reception and library relocated to improve public access, the creation of three new classrooms and a fully refurbished kitchen. The building will also benefit from enhanced Wi-Fi, new digital screens to support meetings, training and conferences, new windows and a range of energy-efficiency upgrades.
Bury Park Community Centre will undergo a full redesign, transforming its historic commercial layout into modern, flexible community spaces. The plans include a redesigned entrance, a complete ground-floor reconfiguration and increased capacity for events and functions of up to 300 people. A new fully fitted commercial kitchen will be installed, alongside upgraded windows, enhanced Wi-Fi and new facilities for conferences, training and hybrid meetings. A range of energy-efficiency improvements are also included.
The council said the combined upgrades would help ensure both centres are sustainable, efficient and able to deliver a balanced mix of activities and services that reflect local community needs.
Cllr Hazel Simmons MBE, leader of Luton Council, said: “Our community centres are more important than ever, and this investment reflects their vital role in bringing people together in their communities and neighbourhoods across Luton.
“These improvements will ensure they are welcoming, accessible and fit for the future, contributing to our 2040 goals while strengthening connections between residents, community organisations and council services. While we recognise there will be some temporary disruption, the long-term benefits for residents and community groups will be substantial.”
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