Upgraded Elleray Centre opens as a modern hub for community connection

Teddington's brand-new community hub has opened today, replacing the former Elleray Hall, improving facilities and providing the foundation to further strengthen the local community.

Community organisations, councillors, the Richmond Mayor, and charity trustees today gathered to celebrate the opening of the new Elleray Centre on North Lane – a purpose-built replacement for the much loved but ageing 100-year-old Elleray Hall.

The new centre provides an energy-efficient, fully accessible environment that will serve as a vibrant space for residents of all ages. Just a few yards from the former building, it continues the proud legacy of supporting community wellbeing in the heart of Teddington.

Speaking at the opening, Councillor Nancy Baldwin, Richmond Council’s spokesperson for Communities, Equalities and the Voluntary Sector, said: “This is so much more than just a new building; it’s an investment in community connection for many in our borough.

"Elleray Hall was at the heart of the Teddington community for decades – and this new centre strengthens that legacy, supporting the many life affirming activities that take place here each and every day."

Elleray Community Association will be based at the new centre and continue to run the lively older people’s social club with its popular programme of classes and gatherings – including Pilates, Zumba, quizzes, bowling, singalongs, line dancing and more. The centre will also offer space for activities and events for the wider community.

With a divisible main hall, two spacious activity rooms and a series of smaller consultation spaces ideal for one-to-one sessions with counsellors and therapists, the new centre has been purposefully designed for flexibility. Multiple activities can run at once, meaning that even when the older people’s social club is bustling, there is still room for other organisations, instructors, and community groups to make use of the space.

Additional features include a fully equipped kitchen, coffee bar, inviting lounge area and an outdoor garden terrace. The building is step free, ensuring wheelchair users and those with limited mobility can move around comfortably and independently.

Councillor Baldwin added: "Today marks a real milestone. We’ve delivered a high-quality centre that will support even more social engagement, reduce loneliness and isolation, and provide a welcoming home for the many local groups and volunteers who make our community so special."

Richmond Council has worked closely with both Elleray Community Association and residents throughout the design process to ensure the centre reflects community needs.

Joan Barnett, Chair of Elleray Community Association, said, “With this wonderful new centre, we will attract many more members to our social club. With its flexible space, we will also be able to extend the range of activities that we offer.

"Our vision is that this new centre will become a place for the entire local community to enjoy – a place for all manner of activities, classes and courses, a place for music and performance, a place for talks, meetings, and children’s parties.

"We at Elleray Community Association are very grateful to Richmond Council for providing us with such a wonderful building and for all their support over the years."

For more information about joining Elleray Community Association or hiring a room at the centre, visit elleraycentre.org or call 020 8977 0549.