The Greenhouse Centre, Greenhouse Sports in Cosway Street

A CONVERTED church building is set for a major restoration after winning a bumper funding boost.

The Greenhouse Centre in Cosway Street, Marylebone, was used by the Greenhouse Sports charity for coaching and mentoring young people facing poverty.

It has been closed for several years due to extensive repair work but it has won £663,100 to complete the “essential upgrades” and install new fire-protection systems.

The Heritage at Risk Capital Fund, led by Historic England and funded by the DCMS, department for culture, media and sport, has named it as one of several buildings “facing dereliction or demolition” without significant help.

This funding prevents irreversible loss of England’s built heritage while delivering the government’s commitment to break down barriers to opportunity and deliver growth.

Heritage minister Fiona, Baroness Twycross said: “Our extraordinary heritage weaves together the stories that define who we are as communities and as a nation. We are delivering on our Plan for Change, through the Heritage at Risk Fund, by breathing new life into treasured places, buildings and monuments across the country, helping to increase opportunities and ensuring that future generations have access to our rich heritage.”

Once the works are complete, the centre will reopen with free-to-access sessions, “designed to create belonging, build life skills, and improve confidence, resilience, and wellbeing”.

Louise Brennan, director of regions at Historic England, said: “This initiative will not only boost economic growth but also create amazing opportunities for people in some of the nation’s most disadvantaged areas.
“We’re thrilled to support projects that harness the power of heritage to make a real difference where it’s needed most.”