Elm Court Youth and Community Centre in Potters Bar has a rebuilt kitchen, paid for with £30,000 of levy money, and plans life-skills training for young people.

Elm Court Youth and Community Centre in Potters Bar has a new kitchen. The upgrade was paid for with £30,000 from the levy the council charges on new development.

Hertsmere Borough Council announced the finished work on 25 September. The centre, on Mutton Lane, is run by volunteers and hired out to community, faith, youth and sports groups.

What the money paid for

The council says the funding was used to:

  • modernise the centre’s kitchen
  • create two dedicated workstations
  • install more energy-efficient appliances
  • upgrade a fire door

The aim, it says, is a kitchen that is safer and easier to use for the many groups that book the centre.

The money came from the Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy. That is the share of the levy set aside for local projects in the area where the development happened. Bushey’s share paid for four projects earlier this month, including £30,000 for the 64th Bushey Scouts.

Training for young people

Margaret Ohren, who chairs Elm Court, said the two workstations would let the centre offer a training space. There, she said, “young people can develop essential life skills, gain confidence and independence, building valuable employability skills for the future.”

She thanked the centre’s volunteers and trustees. Their “commitment, time and enthusiasm”, she said, had been “instrumental in bringing this project to life”.

Councillor Jeremy Newmark, the council’s Leader, called Elm Court a place “bringing people of all ages together through a wide range of activities and services”. He said the upgrade had turned it into “a modern space where residents can come together, learn practical skills” and meet as faith communities.

The charity behind the centre

Elm Court is a registered charity, number 1189231. Its most recent accounts on the Charity Commission register cover the year to 31 March 2025:

Year to 31 March 2025
Total income £127,889
Total expenditure £84,390
Trustees 8
Volunteers 100

The register describes its work in one line: it provides “space for community organisations and members of the community to meet”.

What it means for you

  • Groups can book the centre. Elm Court hires out rooms, from small meeting rooms and the kitchen to the main hall and the field next to it.
  • The car boot season ends this week. The centre’s own site lists Saturday sales until Saturday 3 October, weather permitting. Sellers are admitted at 11am for £10 a car. Buyers pay £5 before noon or £1 from 12 noon.
  • A children’s creative session is listed for Sunday 4 October, with collaging and sculpture making.
  • Find it at 363 Mutton Lane, Potters Bar, EN6 3BP. The centre’s number is 01707 659602.

Sources