With funding secured and vision clear, the real work began. On a chilly November day, the first spade struck ground, bidding farewell to the dilapidated youth club symbolizing neglect. Demolition was delicate—asbestos removal careful, tight site challenging. Excavation revealed old surprises like a 40-year-old ring beam and soft clay voids, but led by local business and project manager Kris Neale, the team persevered.
the arrival of midbrook
Traveling from the midlands, Midbrook Buildings arrived, excavating over 100 tonnes and pouring 230m³ of reinforced concrete for the new dojo slab. Steel rose swiftly; bricklayers worked into twilight on changing rooms. The leaky asbestos roof vanished—replaced with insulated panels, ending decades of damp and ushering energy efficiency.
Inside, donated insulation warmed the space. Volunteers painted over 190-300 litres, turning raw walls vibrant. M&E hurdles arose—an over-budget initial design—but LMK Power stepped in with practical, future-proofed solutions (dual sub-mains, prep for solar/car chargers), ensuring accessibility and sustainability.
Professional touches followed: Paul Garner (T&G Fitting) handcrafted lockers and benches. A multipurpose sprung floor from recycled tyres (eco-friendly and resilient) met AVA Judo mats. Signage, coffee equipment, LED-lit studio—all came together.
After 18 months battling EDF for a 3-phase meter, escalation to the ombudsman succeeded—the hub became operational.
"Lowton Community Hub is something I’m incredibly proud of. It was created to bring people together, support health, and build a stronger future for our community. The journey was long and often challenging, but it was worth every step. This centre will serve as a shared hub and a platform for future generations, shaping lives in ways we may not yet see. I want to thank every person who gave their time, skills, and belief to help make this possible.” - Luke Brown
Grand opening
Exhaustion gave way to joy. In 2024, doors opened wide. Hundreds celebrated the grand opening—live music, martial arts demos, cafe treats, Andy Burnham cutting the ribbon. Today, it’s a beacon: community cafe buzzing, dojo hosting champions, clinic healing, classes fostering wellbeing.
The Lowton Community Hub stands as proof: when a community rises together—with volunteers’ sweat, partners’ expertise, funders’ belief—it builds more than a building. It creates belonging, health, hope, and legacy for generations.
Join us. Visit lowtoncommunityhub.co.uk, lend skills, or simply walk through the doors. Together, we’re not just rebuilding—we’re thriving.
Watched this Part 3 vid and proper emotional! That old youth club was falling to bits for years—leaky roof, graffiti everywhere—and now look at it! The way they’ve turned it into this cracking hub with the dojo and café is mint. Luke and the volunteers must’ve grafted non-stop. Chuffed for everyone, especially the kids who’ll use it. Well done Lowton!
Its amazing to see how much work has gone into building this. A massive credit to the team and Luke. An incredible feat and a massive benefit to our area. Its a rare thing to see!
I’ve been following this project for a while and to see it finished is amazing. Whats funny is Luke isnt in any of the videos yet its his vision and hard work that got it done. watching that, you realise how much of this has come down to Luke keepin things movin when it got tough. He’s not shoutin about it, but you can see the trust people have in him. Thats probly why the place feels genuine. It’s been led by action more than words. That’s why so many different people have got behind the hub. He’s a credit to our community as are everyone involved in building the hub. What a great success for everyone.
You watch people talking about hard work, plans, setbacks, and you can almost feel the effort that’s gon e in. It must have felt amazing at the end! Simply Amazing!