On Sunday 8 May, Malling Community Centre held a taster day for the local community.

The taster day allowed some hirers to give a free session. Between 12 and 2 tours were on, letting local residents see the work that has been done since the centre was regenerated, including the new renewable energy heating system and redesign of the interior for maximum flexibility and functionally.

Councillor Stephen Catlin, who was Mayor of Lewes between 2021 and 2022 attended in one of his final Mayoral engagements.

Malling Community Centre manager Hannah Roxx said “it was lovely to be able to share our work with members of the public, and I look forward to meeting more people as the centre gets busier. The Malling community really deserves this space.”

The centre, which re-opened in 2021 after a refurbishment, is a multipurpose venue used by many beloved local clubs, societies, and sports clubs such as Bridgeview Judo Club, Lewes and District Dog Training and Short Mat Bowls, as well as providing a space for the local community to hire.

There are three halls for hire, as well as a café/bar space, which is currently up for tender via Oakley Property Lewes.

The details of the tender can be found on Oakley’s website, and describes the space saying: “The café and terrace is an open and flexible space. There is potential for use of the café by users of the adjoining recreation ground, sports pitches, children’s play area, skate park, and children’s centre.

“As well as being in the centre of Malling community, the venue will attract custom from the wider area, and from the rest of the town. We are open for submissions that balance a professional and attractive catering offer with imaginative ideas for community involvement and provision.”