12/06/2026
Tenant Notice: Roof Repairs at the Robert Atkinson Centre
We want to let everyone know about an issue with the roof at the Robert Atkinson Centre and the steps we are taking to put it right.
As a charity, we took these buildings on so that community groups and social enterprises would still have a place to run activities, support local people, and build community. We operate with very limited resources, but for ten years we have kept all seven buildings open through grants, small repairs, and a lot of hard work.
The roofs across our sites are ageing, and this year we have had to make a significant decision. For the first time in a decade, we are using the charity’s emergency reserves to invest £25,000 in replacing a large section of the Robert Atkinson Centre roof. The contractor has fixed the price at the maximum we can afford, not the true commercial cost, and will begin the full replacement w/c 13 July.
We have stressed the urgency, and he is trying to free up a worker in the next couple of days to carry out a temporary repair to reduce the immediate impact. We know leaks are frustrating, and we appreciate everyone’s patience.
We also want to be honest and realistic. It’s summer, the building is warm, and while water ingress is never ideal, it can be contained and the affected areas can be dried and repainted. The permanent fix will be completed within four weeks, which is the fastest possible within the charity’s resources.
We remain committed to supporting every group that uses this building. If any tenant needs a more urgent solution than the one we can provide, they are welcome to arrange their own contractor and cover the cost. We will always work with people where we can, but we must also protect the charity’s limited funds so these buildings can stay open for everyone.
Thank you for your understanding, patience, and continued support for the community.
Ian Brown
Managing Director
