Former pub in South Ham to become community hub with £500k investment

The former Beacon pub on Kings Road in South Ham will be refurbished to house the Westside Community Association, with redevelopment due to begin in early 2026 and backed by more than £500,000 of investment.

The former Beacon pub on Kings Road in South Ham is set to be converted into a community hub for the Westside Community Association. The redevelopment is backed by more than £500,000 and work is scheduled to begin in early 2026. Sovereign Network Group (SNG), which leased the building from Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, will lead the renovation. The plans follow the closure of the Westside Community Centre in September 2023 after reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) was found. Project details: - Location: the former Beacon pub on Kings Road, South Ham. - Funding: redevelopment backed by more than £500,000 of investment. - Timing and lead: work is due to begin in early 2026 and will be led by Sovereign Network Group (SNG). - Purpose: the space will serve as a temporary home for the Westside Community Association. - Services: planned offerings include meeting spaces, learning and skills sessions, job support, training and volunteering opportunities, housing, financial, employment and wellbeing support, social clubs, youth programmes, creative events, and the King's Café. - Background: services were temporarily relocated after the Westside Community Centre closed in September 2023 due to the discovery of RAAC. Summary: The conversion is intended to give the Westside Community Association a dedicated space to restore and expand services for South Ham residents. Work is scheduled to begin in early 2026 with SNG leading the refurbishment and the project funded by over £500,000. Further, longer-term arrangements for a permanent community centre are being explored with local partners.