Present Tense. Future Perfect? Heswall Hall is planning ahead for its reopening

In 2011 Heswall Hall became the first Community Hall in Wirral to be transferred from local authority control to that of a Community Trust.

A decade later, closed by the pandemic, it is an entirely self-funding - and sorely missed - focal point where young and old from the Heswall district can gather for all manner of reasons.

From the off, the Trust set about providing entertainment, support and activities for all on a regular basis in the daytime and evenings, including a pre-school playgroup, lunch club, tea dances and movie screenings. These have been followed by events like The Big Room, with live bands, and a monthly Comedy Club. A Memory Lane Afternoon Club was also established, set in a dementia-friendly environment.

On top of all this, the Hall is actively marketed as an excellent venue for parties, weddings and business meetings. It's central, spacious, and there's plenty of car park spaces right alongside, and obviously the Trust needs to generate revenue.

For my sins I know it's easy to take Heswall Hall for granted, but its absence has been telling, and its importance to the community when brighter days dawn cannot be overestimated. When life returns to normal the Trust will need our support, though I dare say there will be high pent-up demand for everything it has to offer.

Heswall Hall may be closed right now, but the Trust is busy paving the way for its comeback, and has announced two new business partnerships.

The Hall has joined forces with popular local restaurant Nova, which will reopen in the location on Telegraph Road formerly occupied by Pizza Express; the second partner is the thriving bar also not far from the Hall, The Blind Pig.

These two businesses will provide all the food and refreshments for Heswall Hall events and functions.

The idea is to not only cement the Hall's place as a venue with the local community at its heart, but also to develop its reputation as a destination for quality entertainment, dining and functions.

"The heart of the Hall will always be our community activities and we can't wait to welcome back our regular clubs and societies and re-establish our old favourites like the tea dances and pre-school playgroup," said the chair of Heswall Hall Trustees, Jenny Stock.

"We've been closed since last March, and as frustrating as that continues to be for us all, it has given us time to reflect on what we do, how we do it, and how we secure the future of the Hall for generations to come."

Jenny added that the two approaches go hand in hand, each supporting the other, while also being a catalyst for supporting local business and bringing more opportunity into the town.

"We remain as committed as ever to serving Heswall, and when we do reopen everyone can be assured of a safe and warm welcome."

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