A community organisation has celebrated getting the keys to the Racecourse pavilion ahead of a planned £400,000 refurbishment.
The Umbrella Fair Organisation (UFO) is planning to redevelop the neglected ground floor of the Northampton venue, with toilet facilities, a permanent office, a performance area, cafe and energy advice centre.
The first phase will see the opening of public toilets and a permanent office for the UFO, which will be completed by July 12.
The UFO is then going to spend a year raising the £400,000 it needs for the main refurbishment.
The keys were handed over by mayor Roger Conroy on Friday, and this was celebrated by the return of the Tea on the Lawn events this weekend, which has featured local performers, an open mic stage and a cafe offering a range of locally-sourced vegan and vegetarian food.
Project co-ordinator Ian Bates said: “It’s a Grade 2 listed, landmark building which has been unused and unloved for too long. The refurbishment will be done very sympathetically.
“We are an environmental group, so having a really low carbon footprint is very important.
“It is nearly all volunteers who are giving their time for free. The most important thing is getting the community involved in the project, so they feel like they have some ownership of it, and get involved once it is open.”
Regarding Tea on the Lawn, Mr Bates added: “The mayor was here on Friday to officially give us the keys, and this is a celebration event. There will be one every month through the summer, as well as a number of family-friendly events.”
For more information on Kenneth J Nash, the artist featured in the above video, visit his website.
Anyone wanting to perform or volunteer at any of the planned events can contact UFO via its website.