Hitchin Hackspace set to start work on disused toilet block after securing grant

PUBLISHED: 07:03 20 December 2017

JP Asher

Some of the Hitchin Hackspace team. Picture: Alex Palfreman-Brown

Archant

Hitchin Hackspace members Andy Mansfield, Rob Berwick and Mark Mellors two years ago with robots built by the group. Picture: Danny Loo

The group, which gives the community access to creative technologies and crafts, will transform the disused toilet block off Bancroft.

The grant from North Herts District Council’s Hitchin committee, paired with cash from Councillor Judi Billing’s locality budget and insurance firm Aviva, will fund a £9,500 conversion.

The Hitchin Hackspace plan for the Bancroft toilet block. Picture: Hitchin Hackspace

Hackspace director Richard Cowley said: “The NHDC funding will greatly speed up the renovation, allowing us to open the facility to the community sooner than planned. We would like to thank NHDC for the award of this grant.”

Hitchin committee chairman Councillor Nicola Harris added: “The new headquarters will bring Hitchin Hackspace into the heart of the town and create a vibrant community hub.”

The work will take three to six months. The Hackspace has previously been based at Ransom’s Recreation Ground.