Stanhope Centre celebrates official opening

Published by DeanW for Moat Homes Ltd in Housing and also in Communities

On Friday 20 May 2011 The Stanhope Centre celebrated its official opening with a ribbon and cake cutting ceremony. Key figures involved in the regeneration project and the wider Ashford area, including MP for Ashford and Minister for Immigration, Damian Green, Moat’s Chief Executive, Brian Johnson and KCC Deputy Cabinet Member, Customer & Communities, Avtar Sandhu made speeches to mark the occasion. 

The new Stanhope Centre is a partnership between Moat and KCC Libraries and Archives, delivering Moat’s Neighbourhood Office and the exciting Stanhope Library, which offers a wide range of stock for the whole community as well as free computer and internet access. 

Attendees were offered tours of the new building, as well as the chance to view old photographs of Stanhope before the regeneration of the area. Younger visitors to the library were treated to craft activities, with older visitors being offered ‘silver surfer’ internet taster sessions. The new Work Club, due to be launched on Thursday 26 May and for people to drop in for support and advice, was also promoted.

Moat’s Chief Executive, Brian Johnson, says; “Stanhope is a wonderful example of a successful regeneration project. Chrysalis has worked closely with many local service providers including KCC Libraries and Archives and, most importantly, with residents; to ensure that Stanhope’s community is about more than just the refurbishment and construction of homes. The Stanhope Centre is a symbol of Moat’s commitment to housing management at Stanhope for the next 30 years. We will continue to communicate with residents to find out what they want and how best to deliver it at Stanhope.”