Barrow Hill Memorial Hall reopens following major refurbishment
Barrow Hill Memorial Hall has officially reopened following a major refurbishment, creating a modern community hub for residents.
The refurbished hall features a community pantry, bar and café, family hub, physical activity space and health hub, providing residents with opportunities to access support services, socialise and stay active.
The hall was officially reopened on Saturday, 22nd August 2026, at a community event which brought residents together to celebrate the refreshed space.
Originally built as a workmen’s hall in 1863, the refurbishment has been led by Barrow Hill Community Trust with funding from the Staveley Town Deal and East Midlands Combined County Authority, among others.
Charles Paxton Markham donated the building to the community as a war memorial in the 1920s, and a trust has managed it ever since.
Simon Redding, chairperson of Barrow Hill Community Trust CIO, said:
“It is wonderful to see the first phase of the Memorial Hall refurbishment finished, with local people enjoying the facilities and benefiting from the new services on offer. As a community-led charity, we will continue to develop these services hand in hand with local people – who are at the heart of all that we do.”
Funding through the Staveley Town Deal has supported the creation of the new health hub and social space, alongside improvements to the building, including its roof, heating and electrical systems. These upgrades will support future phases of development.
Councillor Tricia Gilby, leader of Chesterfield Borough Council and vice chair of the Staveley Town Deal, said:
“The Trust have created a fantastic hub that will make a real difference in the community. This refurbishment will give the building a new lease of life and provide an inviting space where everyone in the community can access a wide range of services. Our aim through the Staveley Town Deal has been to create a place where people can start, stay and grow – this project embodies that by ensuring members of the community can thrive at every stage of their life.”
East Midlands Combined County Authority funding has been used to create the family hub and physical activity space, as well as providing match funding to support further bids to refurbish the first floor.
Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward, said:
“Barrow Hill Memorial Hall is a fantastic example of what can be achieved when communities have the investment they need to shape their own future. This refurbishment has breathed new life into an important local building, creating a welcoming space where people can meet, stay active, access support, and build connections.
“I’m delighted that money from my investment fund has helped create the new family hub and physical activity space, while supporting the Trust to unlock further investment. I’m committed to backing projects that strengthen our communities and help make the East Midlands a place where people are proud to live, work, and raise a family.”
Barrow Hill Community Trust is planning further phases of the refurbishment, which will focus on the first floor and include a reading room and community venue.
Discover more developments taking place across Chesterfield: www.chesterfield.co.uk/developments/
Find out more about Barrow Hill Community Trust: www.barrowhill.community/home
