The Lord Mayor of Manchester, Councillor Carmine Grimshaw, has officially opened a refurbished kitchen at Higher Blackley Community Centre in the city. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was attended by local councillors, centre staff, community members and volunteers. A commemorative plaque was also unveiled to celebrate the completion of the renovation, carried out by North West-based perimeter bollard and barrier product company ATG Access.
Speaking at the event, the Lord Mayor said: “The work that has been done here is fantastic, especially the social value aspect of it. It’s clear to see it’s far more than just a community centre; it’s the hub of the community. The support it provides to so many people is remarkable. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting some of the unsung heroes behind it all, from centre manager Kate and her dedicated team, to the board of trustees and all the volunteers. It’s a shining example of what community spirit can achieve, and I’d love to see it replicated right across Manchester.”
The kitchen had remained largely untouched since the centre was built in the 1960s. ATG Access staff volunteered their time and resources to modernise the space as part of the company’s social value commitments. After connecting with the centre through the city council, ATG staff visited the site last year.
The renovation included a strip-out and redecoration of the old kitchen and servery, with new units, flooring and splashbacks installed. Large appliances including a range cooker, American-style fridge freezer and commercial dishwasher were donated by ATG employees and its supply chain partners Van Leeuwen and Welding Engineering.
The work was delivered over several weeks through ATG’s “Give a Day of Your Time” volunteering scheme, with more than a dozen employees contributing their time at various stages.
Higher Blackley Community Centre is a hub for people of all ages and abilities. It offers workshops, events, meet-ups and activities, from toddler groups to adult learning programmes. The new kitchen will help the centre offer catering to support various classes and groups. In its first week of use, the new kitchen enabled the centre to provide meals for 11 families who would otherwise have gone without.
Richard Ellis, Managing Director of ATG Access, said: “From our first visit, it was clear this was a place where we could make a real impact. The building was well-used and worn, but the people and the work being done there were inspiring. We felt a responsibility to help and were delighted to do so, getting ‘hands on’ through our volunteering programme.”
Centre Manager Kate Shannon said: “It’s been a huge lift for the community. The new kitchen means we can do more, support more people, and take pride in our space again. It’s been a real team effort and we’re so grateful to ATG.”
ATG Access says it plans to continue its work across Greater Manchester, by supporting schools and young people through job fairs and work experience.
