Registration of The Beehive charity ‘an important step for future of Burgess Hill community centre’

Fundraising for The Beehive community centre can now begin following the registration of The Beehive charity, Burgess Hill Town Council said this week.
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Earlier this year planning permission was granted for the building which will incorporate an auditorium with seating for up to 300 people, a café and bar, rehearsal and meeting rooms and exhibition space.

A town council spokesman said: “An important step for the future of the Beehive Community Centre has been the registration of the Beehive charity announced by the Charity Commission.

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“This means that fundraising for this project can now proceed in earnest.

An artist's impression of The Beehive community arts centre in Burgess Hill. Picture: Burgess Hill Town CouncilAn artist's impression of The Beehive community arts centre in Burgess Hill. Picture: Burgess Hill Town Council
An artist's impression of The Beehive community arts centre in Burgess Hill. Picture: Burgess Hill Town Council

“With the recent announcement by Mid Sussex District Council that Clair Hall in Haywards Heath will close, this will be the only large facility in the south of Mid Sussex with modern facilities for the arts. The town council hopes that the many clubs and organisations in Burgess Hill and Haywards Heath will support Burgess Hill Town Council’s efforts to build this ambitious project and will use it fully for the benefit of the greater community.”

A public consultation on the centre was due to start in May, but was delayed due to Covid-19. The town council said a new strategy is being worked on to show residents what is intended and how the project might be delivered and expanded. Once these plans are finalised, the public will be consulted, it added.

Town council leader Robert Eggleston said he was delighted with the news, adding: “It has taken a lot of hard work, with officers and our lawyers, to get charity approval for The Beehive and it is excellent news that this important milestone in the life of the project has been reached.”

“We have also been doing further work over the last couple of months on the development plan and I am looking forward to sharing the vision for The Beehive with the town again.”