When complete, the purchase will represent the first step of a major project to replace the much-missed community hub with a new, fit-for-purpose facility.

The community centre, which has been closed since 2024, is set to be demolished and replaced with a brand-new facility, after the historic charity stepped in and negotiated the purchase of the site.

The acquisition of the centre on Churchill Road, Sutton Coldfield, is the first step in the Trust’s proposals to construct a tailor-made facility based on the wishes and needs of Falcon Lodge residents.

Sutton Coldfield-based Our Place Support has been appointed to carry out extensive community engagement with Falcon Lodge residents to help shape the plans for the new centre.

Dr Francis Murray, the chair of the Trustees of Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust, said: “We are delighted to confirm that the purchase of Falcon Lodge Community Centre has now been agreed with Birmingham City Council and legal process to complete the sale is in progress.

“This purchase means we can now begin a three-step plan that will ultimately result in the creation of a thriving new community facility on the site, which will meet the needs of local people.”

The current community centre building is in need of significant renovations.

The plan proposes demolishing the old community centre and placing temporary buildings at the site to ensure that services can provided to local people while plans and preparations get underway for the new build.

Our Place Support will begin an extensive consultation with local residents, neighbours, schools, charities, businesses, churches and groups to understand what they would like their new community centre to offer.

When a suitable design is in place, the new community centre will be constructed, creating the new facility based on the wishes of local people.

Falcon Lodge councillor Richard Parkin said: “This is fantastic news for the whole of Falcon Lodge.

“It was a real blow when the old centre closed its doors but these exciting and ambitious plans from Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust will deliver a new facility which will be shaped by local people and benefit the entire community.”