A HISTORIC community space has re-opened in Poole town centre following a refurbishment.

Built in the early 1930s, the Centenary Hall in Wimborne Road, which is attached to the Labour Club, was destroyed in a fire during the 1970s.

Plans submitted to Poole council last year for a refurbished club building were approved. The work to build the new Centenary Hall took around 12 weeks and involved the creation of a new entrance lobby, as well as a bar and roof terrace.

An event to celebrate the hall’s re-opening took place on Saturday, October 20, with around 100 people in attendance.

Carol Hillier, the club committee’s events secretary, said she was keen to promote the space for community events, corporate meetings, as well as birthday and wedding celebrations.

“For many years Poole has had a Labour Club. Above the club was the Centenary Hall, which was brought down by fire.

“Now the Centenary Hall has returned, risen again, newly-refurbished and available for hiring,” she said.

The prospect of a new community space was welcomed by the Society of Poole when the plans were submitted.

The society said it would “supplement the return of useable meeting rooms / facilities to this part of Poole”.

Carol said not many areas in the town provided a hall building for the community.

“To celebrate the re-opening of the Centenary Hall we held a ‘dress to impress’ evening with a band and dancing. It was a very pleasant evening,” she said.

To keep up-to-date with the events taking place at the club, visit the Poole Centenary Hall and Club Facebook page.