An iconic register office has reopened as a children’s centre after more than half a million pounds of investment.
Newly-refurbished Arden House Nursery and Children’s Centre, Longbridge Road, Barking, was officially opened by councillors 18 months after closing to the public.
After recording births, marriages and deaths for 49 years, the house will now provide nursery places for up to 57 children, with free places for eligible two- year-olds.
Council leader Cllr Darren Rodwell said: “Arden House has been an important part of the community for many years. It has been the place where families have gone at some of the most important times in their lives.
“We’ve opened the centre for our children and it fills me with a sense of civic pride to know that it will continue to be an important community resource as we move from the past and look to the future.”
Chestnut Nursery, which runs three other day nurseries in the borough, has been appointed as nursery provider. Longbridge councillor Cllr Rocky Gill said: “It’s taken a lot of campaigning to keep the building open as a community building.
“It’s really pleasing to finally see it transformed into a facility helping to give young people a great start in life.”
Read more:
More than 120 children to benefit from Barking nursery renovation
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