Council supports expansion of popular Bloxwich community and play centre

Walsall Council and New Horizons Community Enterprise have collectively awarded funding of over £1.3million to enable Bloxwich Community Partnership (BCP) to refurbish and develop its premises.

Palace Play Shop Eat on Blakenall Row in Bloxwich will be extended to increase capacity to deliver much needed services for the community. The play area will be developed into a larger soft play, and rooms will be added to enable more community training opportunities. 

Councillor Adrian Andrew, Deputy Leader of Walsall Council, said: “I would like to congratulate the team at BCP for their successful grant application. The community capital grants programme offers a fantastic opportunity for community organisations to build on their existing capacity and engage with increasing numbers of residents.

“The ambitious investment plans for Bloxwich and Walsall are already helping make positive and lasting improvements within local communities and driving economic development in these areas. Supporting community organisations like BCP will help us create even more opportunities for residents.”

Eleanor Boycott, Chief Executive Officer of Bloxwich Community Partnership, said: “Bloxwich Community Partnership is thrilled to have secured funding to redevelop the Palace Play Shop Eat centre in Blakenall.  The community of Blakenall and Bloxwich deserve good quality facilities in the heart of their community.  The charity has worked hard over a number of years to develop the centre and this investment will help us to create a vibrant hub within the community. This is a great opportunity for the charity and great for the local community.”

Funding from Bloxwich Towns Fund, Walsall Council and New Horizons Community Enterprise will enable the works to take place and the creation of a modern bright facility for the community. Bloxwich Community Partnership will also be investing funding into the development. The renovations will include a new youth area with access to a training kitchen, a bright charity shop and community space and new soft play for toddlers and children. 

The youth and community services will relocate locally during the refurbishment to ensure families, children and young people can continue to be supported.  The shop and play will close temporarily but will be back soon, residents can keep up to date by following Bloxwich Community Partnership on social media.

Walsall Council, in agreement with Bloxwich Community Partnership, will lead on managing the scheme with construction due to start in early 2025.