Alton’s refurbished Focus Hall reopens with creative activities day

Aydin Dikerdem, Wandsworth Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing, officially opened the hall with a ribbon‑cutting during a full day of free creative and wellbeing activities designed to help people connect, feel better and try something new.

Throughout the day, residents dropped in to take part in activities, including chair yoga sessions, journaling workshops for wellbeing, drumming and dance sessions. Ideas were also gathered on how the hall could be used in the future for activities and sessions.

Families came along after school for face-painting and to try gardening, outdoor games and creative bunting‑making.

Aydin Dikerdem said: “It’s great to be back inside Focus Hall and see all the improvements that’ve been made so that the whole Alton community can use the building. It’s now got better facilities and more potential for different uses, so we’re really looking forward to seeing it busy, well‑used and playing a central role in community life once again.”

Extensive refurbishment and CCTV

Focus Hall has undergone months of careful refurbishment as the council transformed the building into a brighter, more flexible and safer space for the whole community.

Improvements include new and refurbished flooring, improved toilets, installation of new kitchens on each floor, repairs to windows, full rewiring and redecoration with new lighting. A new fire alarm and entrance system have also been installed.

Outside, the building, railings and gate have been redecorated, with new fencing and new signage added. The front doors have been replaced, CCTV has been installed, the driveway was resurfaced, bin enclosures put in and new planting and landscaping has been completed at the front of the hall.

New homes and community facilities in the Alton Renewal Plan

A package of improvements on the estate are being made by Wandsworth Council as part of the wider Alton Renewal Plan - early projects that help improve the estate while working on longer-term detailed designs for the whole regeneration area.

As well as Focus Hall, the renewal plan also includes estate‑wide works such as road and pavement repairs, upgraded shop fronts, and improvements to waste and recycling facilities.

In the latest step forward, a long-derelict building at the entrance to Roehampton’s Alton estate is being demolished to make way for a purpose-built community complex including a new library, GP practice, council offices and youth space, plus 55 affordable, family-sized council homes next door.

Wandsworth Council’s planning committee gave approval for development on the whole site known as ‘Block A’ on Danebury Avenue and Holybourne Avenue, which was formerly a Co-op building with residential and offices and a youth club next door.

In the wider Alton regeneration plan, we are planning to provide up to 650 new homes, together with a new library, GP surgeries, youth facilities, Family Hub, improved shops, green spaces and better routes around the estate.

Find out more about the Alton Renewal Plan

Easter library event

Ask questions about the regeneration and see the developing plans for the Alton estate at Roehampton Library this Saturday 28 March. Children and young people can enjoy a book-themed scavenger hunt, Easter crafting and face-painting.

When: Saturday 28 March, 11am-2pm

Where: Roehampton Library, Danebury Avenue

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