EASTON — In an inspiring demonstration of grassroots civic resilience, the Easton Community Centre on Kilburn Street has officially opened its newly expanded, zero-carbon community wing, featuring a solar-powered winter Warm Space, community kitchen, and a state-of-the-art youth digital technology lab.
The £720,000 capital transformation, funded through community crowdfunding, the National Lottery Community Fund, and the Quartet Community Foundation, ensures that one of East Bristol’s most vital community hubs can provide free, dignified support services seven days a week regardless of rising commercial utility overheads.
Energy Independence and Year-Round Community Warmth
The new wing achieves complete thermal and electrical self-sufficiency through an advanced clean-energy microgrid:
- Rooftop Solar Generation: 90 high-efficiency solar photovoltaic panels installed across the main hall roof, generating over 42,000kWh of clean power annually.
- Commercial Battery Storage: A 64kWh lithium-iron battery bank storing daytime solar surplus to power underfloor heating and community kitchen appliances during evening and winter periods.
- Commercial Community Kitchen: A fully equipped industrial kitchen capable of preparing up to 250 hot, nutritious community meals daily using surplus produce sourced from local grocers and allotments.
The Easton Digital Innovation Lab
A flagship component of the expansion is the new Easton Tech Hub, equipped with 24 high-performance workstations, 3D printers, and high-speed gigabit fiber internet. In partnership with local tech volunteers and universities, the centre will host free weekly digital literacy classes for elderly residents alongside accredited coding, web development, and digital media production workshops for young people aged 11 to 19.
Centre Director Amina Yusuf expressed immense pride during the community ribbon-cutting ceremony: “Easton is a community rich in culture, solidarity, and resilience. This new centre belongs to every neighbor. Whether someone needs a warm, welcoming space to share a meal, a child needs a quiet place with computer access to complete homework, or an elder wants to learn video calling, our doors are open to all.”
The centre will operate its community kitchen and Warm Space daily from 08:30 to 20:00, with youth coding clubs running every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon.
