Your new community hub
The Link Centre is a new hub for our community, open to everyone
Your new community hub
The Link Centre is a new hub for our community, open to everyone
The Vision
The Link Centre is the vision of Ashbourne Methodist Church, who wanted to find new ways to serve the local community. The vision was to create a new community hub, to be open 7-days-a-week offering a wide range of activities for the whole community.
The church partnered with other local community organisations as part of the Ashbourne Reborn programme, which is designed to bring back vibrancy, vitality and economic prosperity to Ashbourne town centre. The whole Ashbourne Reborn programme, which is being led by Derbyshire Dales District Council, has received UK Government funding. Ashbourne Methodist Church will contribute over £2million in match-funding towards the development of The Link Centre, through the generous support of its members, local people and grant-making bodies.
The church continues to hold its worship and other activities within The Link Centre, alongside community events, cultural activities and business conferences & meetings.
We aim to provide a space for the community to meet, build friendships, support each other and have their lives enriched.
An important aspect of this is to create new cultural activities and support arts organisations. This has been proven to improve lives, regenerate neighbourhoods, support local economies, attract visitors and bring people together. You can read more about our arts & cultural activities on the What’s On page.
What we offer
The Link Centre offers a wide range of flexible and affordable spaces for community events, performing arts, musical & cultural events and is a conference centre for local and regional businesses.
The venue consists of a light airy atrium, Cornerstone Coffee House, three halls with the largest having a seating capacity of 310 people, and three new modern meeting rooms.
Also within the building is our new visitor accommodation, Gateway Lodge, providing affordable, modern en-suite rooms.
The Atrium
At the heart of The Link Centre is the new Atrium which connects all the buildings together. With floor to ceiling windows onto Station Road, this bright modern communal space ensures all visitors receive a warm welcome.
The Halls
The Link Centre is the only venue in the Ashbourne area with a choice of three halls that can either be booked individually or as a whole venue. The halls are ideal for community events, performing arts, worship, exhibitions and conferences.
Meeting rooms
Three new meeting rooms have been developed on the lower ground floor of the Link Centre, each with built-in AV equipment.
Cornerstone Coffee House
As part of the renovation project, the already well established Cornerstone Coffee House has been upgraded and expanded. It has direct access into the community hub.
Community Garden
The final phase of the Link Project will be the creation of a Community Garden leading down to the Henmore Brook. Further fundraising is still required to complete this phase of the project.
Accommodation
Those visiting or using The Link Centre and requiring accommodation will be able to take advantage of the modern, affordable, hostel-style accommodation at the adjoining Gateway Lodge.
“We are so pleased to continue serving our community as we have been doing for over 200 years. The Link Project is about Linking Buildings, Linking People, Building Community.”
Revd Nicola Briggs, Ashbourne Methodist Church
