Lowton Community Hub is currently a thriving community centre and dojo that offers a variety of martial arts and classes, as well as an award-winning café and physio. Recently it has undergone a major expansion at the side of the building, including a new dojo and changing facilities. This article will be exploring the club’s rocky road to success, and plans for the near future.
Conceived in the legacy of the London 2012 Olympic games, The club had a humble beginning in a run-down gym in Leigh. Whilst they sticked there for two years, the situation was quickly becoming unfavourable due to difficulties between Luke Brown, the founder of the club, and the owners of the gym, forcing them to relocate to the then disused and decayed youth club that is now their place of residence. Relocating to the youth club involved the first ever asset transfer by the Wigan Council, a monumental event in the community.
Renovation work started almost immediately, but it wasn’t until 2018 when the idea for the expansion was proposed, and they began to apply for funding. During this period of about a year they endured a lengthy rejection process, applying to six to seven different funders and being denied each time.
As a final resort, they applied to Sport England. Downloading an architect software, they hired a professional to make 3d designs of the plans for them, whilst also gathering testimonials and involving the mayor of Manchester, Andy Burnham. They put this all in a package and sent it to Sports England, before finally receiving the funding they desperately needed.
Work began in 2019, but the project went into jeopardy in 2020 due to the pandemic. Work only continued due to what was already completed thus far. Finally, after four years, ground was broken in November of 2022, and the project was officially completed 12 months later, having a grand opening ceremony in April of this year.
“The Lowton Community Hub is something I’m incredibly proud of. It’s a space designed to bring people together, support their health and bring a stronger future for our community.” – Luke Brown
Even after this expansion, plans are already being made for the future of the hub. The café, which has recently won an excellence award in customer service and the northern enterprise award for best community café in Cheshire, also has plans for a major expansion, mostly revolving around outdoor seating at the back of the club. This will also include a retrofitted steal container that will be turned into a pizzeria with a wood fired pizza oven.
This pizzeria will also devote itself to a charitable cause, that Luke has affectionately named the “slice of hope” scheme. Children who are homeless will be offered job opportunities at the pizzeria, personal hygiene and accommodation.
If you would like to find out more about the club’s history or are considering getting classes, visit their YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@LeighJudoClub
