Support New Park
Chichester Community Centre
Can you help us
Raise The Roof?
New Park Centre is the beating heart of community and culture in Chichester. We welcome more than 130,000 visitors each year into our beautiful Victorian building. With eight flexible spaces - from an Olympic-standard Dojo and arts studios to a café/bar and the much-loved Chichester Cinema at New Park - there is something for everyone.
As a charity, we are entirely self-supporting and are supported by 180 volunteers, which enables the Centre to host over 90 local groups, offering everything from children’s dance and sport to mental health support, older people’s activities, and cultural events that connect and inspire. In 2025 we proudly celebrate our 50th anniversary.
We also work with schools and colleges, present exhibitions, and much more.
“People who go to New Park often see new opportunities to improve their physical and mental wellbeing, to take up new hobbies, or learn something new."
History
The Victorian building has a remarkable past: from its beginnings as a boys’ school, to the threat of demolition, and finally its transformation into today’s thriving community hub.
Built in 1812 on land gifted by William Dearling, the Sussex Central School of Boys was designed by London architect James Elmes, whose other works in Chichester include St John’s Chapel, Oakwood House and Sennicotts House. At that time New Park Road did not exist; access was through an archway in the East Walls. Later, the road and recreation ground provided the school with its playing field. As numbers grew, a new building was constructed in 1888 to mark Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee. It was extended in 1893 and again in 1912. By 1964 the school had relocated to Orchard Street, leaving the New Park site empty. The City Council rented out rooms while considering its future, and in 1974 Chichester District Council proposed demolition. That same year, a successful community campaign - led by Cllr. Tony French, with current trustee George Appleby among the founders - saved the building.
It was reborn as a community centre, which steadily expanded over the following decade.
Today, New Park Centre is best known for Chichester Cinema, but also offers much more: from dance, wellbeing and martial arts classes to art workshops and affordable room hire for meetings, events and celebrations.
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​“The range of groups here is truly inspiring. Together, we can RAISE THE ROOF and secure New Park Centre as a vibrant home for culture, support, and community for decades to come.”
Robert Long, Chair of Trustees.
What is Raise the Roof?
RAISE THE ROOF is our community campaign to fund the replacement of the original Victorian roof of our 1887 building. Repairs carried out throughout the years have kept the roof structurally sound and watertight, but parts are over 130 years old and showing the effects of age and time. The time has come to stop patching and mending and to invest. The whole roof needs to be replaced. This is a substantial
undertaking which is only financially and operationally viable if we carry it out in 3 phases over 3-years so that we can remain open and generate funds as we go. We have completed Phase 1 but there is still much work to do.
Once we have replaced the roof, we hope to go on to improve and expand the bar, café, and restroom facilities. We want to invest in the New Park Centre to make the future improvements our community wants and deserves. Delay will only increase the cost.
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Who will benefit:
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Local people across Chichester, West Sussex, and Hampshire.
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Over 90 groups and 130,000 visitors each year who use the Centre for learning, creativity, health, and wellbeing.
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Schools, colleges, and exhibition partners.
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Over 180 volunteers who gain skills and connections through giving us and you their time.
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Local support services such as Waythrough Pathfinder mental health peer support, Bereavement Care, Epilepsy Action, Relationship Sussex, Gamblers Anonymous, and the Aldingbourne Trust, who rely on New Park as a safe, central base.
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Local businesses who benefit from increased footfall.
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Future generations who will enjoy cinema, theatre, arts, sport, and community events in a vibrant, welcoming venue.
This investment will safeguard New Park for decades to come, ensuring it remains an accessible, inspiring, and inclusive place where people of all ages and backgrounds can thrive.
“To keep serving the community, this valued hub must secure its building and future.”
Why Raise the Roof is needed NOW?
Over the decades the community has been incredibly supportive in our efforts to upgrade facilities in the former school building and carry out patch repairs to the roof. But the time has come for a collective effort to replace the whole roof and in doing so, to protect and preserve all the charities, clubs and societies that call New Park Centre home. This essential work to replace the roof will cost over £520,000. Total pledges to date are £195,000 and we must now raise a minimum of £325,000.
So far, over £100,000 has already been spent on Phase 1.
We are very grateful for the following pledges to date:
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Chichester City Council: £150,000
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F. Glenister Woodger Trust: £34,000
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Chichester Cinema at New Park: £10,000
The current roof has served us well, but the clay tiles have a limited lifespan. Our fully repairing lease with Chichester District Council has another 47 years to run, so rather than continue with repairs, the time has come to replace the roof. And with your help we are determined to do this to ensure:
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Your vital community, cultural, and wellbeing services are preserved.
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The building is weatherproofed, and future roof maintenance is minimised.
This project is not only about repairing a roof — it’s about protecting Chichester’s community life.
Our community centre is more than just a building. It’s a place where friendships grow, families feel supported, and lives are enriched. But without your help to RAISE THE ROOF, we cannot secure its future for generations to come.
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How you can help
As a charity-run community centre, we receive no ongoing funding and must cover our day-to-day running costs ourselves. To RAISE THE ROOF and secure the future of this vital space, your support will make the difference. Every gift, large or small, will help keep New Park Centre safe, welcoming, and thriving for the thousands who rely on it each year.
Ways to support:
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Donate today - Your contribution goes directly towards the urgent replacement of our roof.
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Sponsor a tile - Each tile costs around £5. You can sponsor bundles of 5 (£25), 10 (£50), 20 (£100), 50 (£250), or 100 (£500), or any multiple. It’s a lasting way to support this historic building.
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Leave a legacy - A gift in your will helps safeguard the future of community life in Chichester.
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Gifts in kind - Non-monetary support is also valuable including roofing materials and building supplies.
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Gift Aid – UK taxpayers can increase the value of their donation by 25% at no extra cost. Higher rate taxpayers may also claim additional relief.
Thank you for your support.
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