Plans submitted for new Christian Centre on Hope Street in Wrexham

Proposals to adapt the outside of the former Burton’s store on Hope Street in Wrexham to improve user safety and disabled access have been submitted by the Diocese of St Asaph to Wrexham County Borough Council.

The plans, developed by Wrexham based architects, Lawray, will see an entrance onto Town Hill added to the building and a lift shaft installed in the space formerly used by the Snack Shack.  In addition, some repairs and alternations are proposed to renovate the outside of the 1930s building in keeping with its original character.

Work started in the summer to convert Hope Street into a Christian centre, which is due to open next year. The project was the first to receive a grant from the Church in Wales’ Evangelism Fund, set up to fund ambitious schemes to engage people with the Christian faith in vibrant and exciting ways.

The Archdeacon of Wrexham, John Lomas, who is co-ordinating the project for the Diocese of St Asaph said: “This is an exciting next stage in the project to convert this much loved but abandoned building in Wrexham into a Christian centre.  Our plans retain the original look of the building but will ensure it is fit for the twenty first century.

“We’re also excited to be offering a first sight of the indicative plans for the inside of the building, which will see activities taking place across all three floors.

“Work is already underway to remove the shop-fittings, and this will allow the internal design of the building to begin.”

Earlier this year, the leaders of Hope Street were announced. Andy and Rachel Kitchen, who are both ordained, will be developing a team of staff for the centre.  Andy said: “In many ways 2020 will mark the beginning of a new story for this building as, nearly 90 years after the foundations were laid by the Burton family, it becomes home to a brand-new Christian community.

“Whilst we are still working on some aspects of the inside, our brief is that internally the building will be welcoming and hospitable; bright and informal – a space where people from all walks of life – whatever their experience of faith or church – can come as they are and feel at ease.”

“We love that the address is 1 Hope Street, and we hope that once complete, “Hope Street” will function to make a big contribution both materially and spiritually to the life of Wrexham.”

Hope Street will launch in September 2020 and will work alongside existing churches in Wrexham.  It is part of the Diocese of St Asaph, one of the six dioceses of the Church in Wales, an autonomous Province of the worldwide Anglican Communion.

You can see the plans for Hope Street and find other information at hopestreetwrexham.org.uk