During Village Halls Week 2026, Hayley, Lisa and Alison were delighted to accept an invitation from Northstowe Town Council to visit the brand‑new Unity Centre – the new community building for the growing town of Northstowe.

It feels entirely fitting to visit a ‘village hall for the modern world’. The Unity Centre is far more than a traditional hall; it is a flexible, multi‑use community facility designed to become the beating heart of the Northstowe community.

The building offers an impressive range of spaces, including a large main hall, a secondary activity space, multiple meeting rooms, a micro‑library, an NHS consultation room suitable for neighbourhood health services, the town council office, a community café space available for commercial lease, and a well‑equipped community kitchen for building users.

Accessibility and inclusion have clearly been central to the design. The centre includes Changing Places toilet facilities and a lift to all floors, while the child‑friendly Activity Space is self‑contained with code‑controlled access, helping to minimise safeguarding risks. There is also a dedicated space suitable for operating a food bank, with its own entrance and generous storage.

Sustainability has been carefully considered, with photovoltaic panels generating electricity to help keep running costs low for both the building and its users.

The Unity Centre is also an attractive addition to the town, set within green space and featuring delicate window designs and sculptures created by local artist, Chloe Leaper.

We are hugely grateful to Town Clerk, Carla, and Deputy Mayor, Joe, for taking the time to show us around. We look forward to returning once the building is fully occupied to see how it is supporting community life in Northstowe.