Help shape Thatcham's proposed new Community Hub

Background

In 2023 West Berkshire Council commissioned the Thatcham Town Centre Strategy, which describes what future growth and changes in the town centre could look like, and identifies needs as well as potential projects.

The strategy recognised Brownsfield Road and Memorial Field as an important place for cultural,

sports and recreation facilities. One of the longstanding needs identified was for an improved Community Hub to provide for community events, the arts, health, sport and recreation within or very close to the town centre.

Over the last 12 months, we've worked with local stakeholders, from the site and the wider community, to identify what a new Community Hub at Brownsfield Road, Thatcham could look like. We've commissioned Adams and Sutherland Architects and Augarde and Partners to carry out a feasibility study, funded through the government's UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) to explore this opportunity further. The UKSPF supports projects that aim to increase resident's life chances, pride in their local area, and their engagement in local culture and community.

What the site might look like

The current shared vision for the Community Hub is to create a space that has:

• greater range of sports, available to a wider range of people, on more days of the year
• a coherent sense of place, where residents feel they belong
• a concentrated hub of activity: civic, community, leisure, sports, youth and cultural including a new library and an improved health and well-being offer
• rationalised car parking and estate management
• the locally valued 'village' character of Thatcham, even as it develops in scale
• improved visibility of the Community Hub from the A4 (Bath Road), and improved site accessibility
• walking routes between the town centre, nearby green space and community hub

To make it easier to visualise what this might look like, a design (Figure 1.) has been drafted in which some existing buildings are replaced by a Sports Pavilion and a Cultural building.

Figure 1.

Sports Pavilion - a two-storey building which could contain:

• changing rooms for players and officials
• a clubroom, social space, bar, kitchen, and toilets
• meeting spaces for activities
• storage and ancillary
• a viewing terrace
• a small indoor sports court
• climbing and bouldering facilities

Cultural building - a two-storey building which would contain:

• multi-functional halls
• a new expanded library and garden
• Town Council offices
• flexible workspace
• a café

You can view and/or download a pdf of the early plans here.

How to share your views

We'd like your views on the vision, which is at an early stage, to help shape how this important local facility could be used and developed.

We're holding informal community drop-in sessions at Thatcham Library where you can view early plans, explore ideas, ask questions and share your views. No need to book, just turn up on these dates:

• Tuesday, 24 February, 5:30pm - 7:00pm
• Saturday, 28 February, 12:30pm - 2:00pm

Alternatively, if you're unable to attend and would like to comment, you can complete our survey or email economicdevelopment@westberks.gov.uk or write to the Economic Development Team, Council Offices, Market Street, Newbury, RG14 5LD.

Click here to complete our survey

If you have any questions, please email economicdevelopment@westberks.gov.uk

If you prefer to respond by email or in writing, please consider these questions in your comment:

• What do you like most about the proposed sports facilities and open spaces?
• Do you think the proposed sports facilities and open spaces meet the needs of Thatcham?
• Are any of the specialist facilities proposed already available nearby?
• Is there anything you don't like about the ideas being put forward?
• What activities, services or facilities would you like a new community and cultural hub to offer?
• Do you think anything is missing from the plans that you'd like to see included?
• Are there any other issues with the site currently that you would like to see addressed?
• Do you have any other thoughts about this project and how it can complement other parts of development in Thatcham?

All responses must reach us by 5pm on Tuesday, 10 March 2026 if they are to be considered at this stage.

For general enquiries about local economic development, please visit our webpage

What happens next

Given the scale of the proposals, the project, if agreed by local stakeholders, will likely be delivered in phases over several years. This approach could allow the project to progress in a challenging financial environment and will allow for service continuity during development. Progress is also subject to agreed governance and securing the required funding. There are a range of funding sources which will be explored including government bodies, trusts and foundations, and local sources including development contributions. A governance model will be designed to maximise funding opportunities and financial efficiencies and ensure clear and consistent day-to-day management and maintenance arrangements in future.

Following input from local people, the plans will be improved and updated. Further work will be undertaken to assess potential costs and funding sources. An implementation plan, including a funding strategy and options for governance will be developed later in 2026.