A year-long project to breathe new life into a Derby church and its community building is one step closer to completion – thanks to Frame Fast UK in Derby.
The Ascot Drive business waved its magic to create a super new entrance area at St Martin’s Church and Community Centre on Flint Street in Allenton.
The business also fitted double aluminium doors leading onto the community garden, installed a single fire door and fitted a new porch and side entrance.
Carl Willis, community development manager at Derby City Council, said Frame Fast UK has helped to transform the Allenton Big Build project.
He said: “Greg and his team at Frame Fast UK have been phenomenal.
“They’ve given our building its smile and we are very, very grateful.
“I never thought we’d be able to afford high quality aluminium doors, but Frame Fast has been very generous.
“We now have a welcoming vista and our community project is really taking shape.
“The team had to work to a really tight schedule because we were having scaffolding erected.
“They manufactured the grey doors in record time. And Ian and Matt fitted everything in record time too.â€
Work started to transform the tired church and its community rooms last summer.
Plans were drawn up by architects and Carl and his team of dedicated volunteers kicked off the work.
He said: “My job has been to work with the voluntary sector and the private sector and join the two together.
“Since we started, more than 10,000 volunteer hours have been ploughed into the build. We’ve also approached local businesses, like Frame Fast, and asked them to support the refurbishment.
“It has been very challenging but when we officially open later this year, all the hard work will have been worth it.
“We’re hoping to be finished by July and that will mean the job will have taken us just one year to complete.
“At the moment, everything is going to plan.â€
Cash was secured from Allenton’s Big Local – a £1m pot of Big Lottery Fund – to kick-start the refurbishment programme.
To date, more than £180,000 has been spent on St Martin’s Church and its Community Centre.
Allenton was one of 150 areas awarded cash to make a lasting and positive difference in the community.
Carl said: “When we started the job last year, we hadn’t secured all the money we needed. But I knew, with help from volunteers and support from local businesses, we could do it.
“We dared to dream – and now our community facility is becoming a reality.
“It’s so exciting. We’ll have a new café, called the Chatterbox Café, meeting rooms and a community garden. The church will look fantastic and members of this community will have something to feel proud about.
“I can’t thank everyone enough for the help they’ve given us. This place has always been loved by the people who used – it just lacked investment.
“We’ve been able to change that and create a lasting legacy for the people of Allenton.
“The word proud doesn’t even come into it.â€
Greg Brighouse, business development manager at Frame Fast UK, said: “It was a pleasure to get involved with the Allenton Big Build project.â€