Village Halls Renovation Project
Nestled between the village shop and the Fleur de Lys pub on the High Street, our two beautiful Grade II Listed Halls offer a unique blend of Victorian charm and modern functionality. Originally part of the Hall Place Estate, the buildings were repurposed by Samuel Morley in 1870, with the large hall reassembled as a chapel and the small hall built in 1872 using salvaged stone. Over the decades, the halls have hosted everything from dances and plays to rifle practice and wartime hospital care. Today, the large hall — with its vaulted ceiling and gothic windows — is ideal for grand events, while the small hall, featuring a stage, suits intimate gatherings and performances.
We’re excited to announce that a major renovation project is now underway to ensure our halls continue to serve the community for the next 50 years..
Scroll through for our latest updates..
Update 23rd February 2025.
Architects Appointed
The project to renovate the Village Halls is a huge undertaking, and a significant milestone was reached at the end of 2025 with the appointment of the Thomas Ford Partnership as architects. The Thomas Ford Partnership are specialists in the conservation and adaptation of historic buildings (including Otford Palace) and have won regional and national RIBA and RICS awards for both design and conservation.
We are very much looking forward to working with the practice and are excited to see how their expertise translates into a new vision for the Village Halls. Their first undertaking will be to present initial options which we will share with the community later this year.
Watch this space!
Calling all Fundraisers
Making the plans a reality will need a significant investment of funds. Grants will play a role in this, but these will need to be supplemented by a substantial fundraising plan. We have a small team working on this but would very much welcome new members! If you are interested in getting involved, and particularly if you have experience in virtual fundraising, crowdfunding and community events, please contact Jacqui Wordsworth at jacqui.wordsworth@btinternet.com
We would also love to hear from younger members of the community who would like to get involved. The current team is slightly unbalanced in that regard (!) and we are keen to ensure that all ideas, perspectives and views are represented.
Update 17th November 2025.
Community Cafe
Leigh Village Halls Renovation project offers an opportunity to create a vibrant, community hub in the heart of the village and we are keen to gather views on what we should include in our plans.
Would you like to see a community café in the refurbished halls?
We are seeking views to gauge demand for a small café as part of the project scope.
Please take a few minutes to fill in this survey – your responses will be anonymised and used to help our plans.
Thank you!
Update: 20th September 2025.
Consultation
Over the past year, the team has been busy listening to the community to understand what people really want and, importantly, how the halls can better serve everyone in the future.
- Resident Questionnaire – Sent to every household, with a fantastic response rate.
- Consultation Events – Held with hall users, bringing together voices from all key groups.
- In-Depth Conversations – Engaged directly with major users like Scribbles, Community Club, and others.
This wide-ranging feedback has helped us build a clear picture of community needs and aspirations — laying the groundwork for a renovation that benefits more people, in more ways, for years to come.
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Our Vision..
The village halls are a vital community resource—welcoming, inclusive, and accessible to all ages and abilities.
They should offer:
- Modern comfort – clean, warm spaces with updated furnishings, effective heating, and lighting and clear accessibility for all.
- Practical amenities – a user-friendly kitchen, flexible seating, and tech for small group activities.
- Sustainability and affordability – supporting regular classes, events, and serving as a hub for village life.
- Natural, inviting design – using materials like wood to create a calm and welcoming atmosphere.
- Heritage preservation – enhancing and protecting the character and history of the Grade II listed building while making it fit for future generations.
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What Happens Next?
The renovation team is made up of the Halls Management Committee (Trustees), Parish Council representatives and interested volunteers — all working together to shape the future of the halls. We have carefully reviewed all community feedback and commissioned key surveys to better understand the building and its potential. This project will be a very expensive one and we need to get it right.
- Building Survey – Identified essential repairs across the structure, mechanical systems, and electrics, reflecting the building’s age and condition. Asbestos and Legionella surveys were also carried out.
- Historical Survey – Explored the heritage of our Grade II listed buildings, highlighting what must be preserved and protected.
Combined with consultation insights, this information has helped us develop a clear roadmap for the coming months—including engagement with architects and planners to bring the vision to life.
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We Need Your Help!!
A project of this scale—especially within a Grade II listed building—requires significant investment. We’re actively exploring funding opportunities at both local and national levels to support the renovation.
But to unlock many of these grants, we need to start building matched funding now. Raising awareness and community support is key. Thanks to current hall usage and carefully managed savings, we’ve already been able to fund essential surveys and carry out initial upgrades.
However, to move forward with the full vision, fundraising is essential.
We’ve got some fantastic fundraising events lined up—and we need you there! Every ticket sold goes straight to the Renovation Fund, helping us preserve our historic Grade II listed halls and build something even better for the future..
We would also like to hear from anyone who would like to be involved in helping to support the ongoing use of the halls. Whether you’re bursting with ideas, keen to volunteer, or simply curious about what’s next, everyone is welcome to get involved. We’re full of ideas for the future—but we want yours too! If you’d like to get involved, share suggestions, or help shape what happens in and around the halls of the future next year, we’d love to hear from you
Contact either paula.beresford@btinternet.com or johntuke@hotmail.com for further information.