Long-term future secured for Towcester Community Hub
11 November 2026
A community hub supporting hundreds of people each week is set for a major transformation, with plans to give South Northamptonshire Volunteer Bureau (SNVB) a long-term lease of Riverside Community Hub in Towcester.
The decision, approved by West Northamptonshire Council’s (WNC) Cabinet on 10 November, will give SNVB greater long-term security and the opportunity to attract external funding and invest in the building, strengthening Riverside as a hub for community support, volunteering and local services.
Riverside Community Hub is already home to the Towcester Food Larder, Towcester Food Bank and a Community Café, providing practical help as well as opportunities for people to meet and connect. The Food Larder alone welcomes between 350 and 400 visitors each week, while the Food Bank provides support two days a week.
SNVB also operates a food larder in Roade and a volunteer driver car service in Brackley extending its support to residents in surrounding rural communities.
Plans for Riverside Community Hub include roof repairs, heating upgrades and wider improvements to create a more welcoming, modern and sustainable building.
Alongside improving the building itself, SNVB’s longer-term ambition is to bring more community groups and organisations together under one roof, making it easier for residents to access advice, practical help and other services in one place. One of the organisations they will be welcoming to the building is ‘renew169 Wellbeing’ who are excited to be part of the collaboration.
The improved hub will offer meeting rooms, hall space and a boardroom for local organisations and activities. SNVB also hopes to expand its existing provision, with additional community support, dedicated case workers based at Riverside and an enhanced community café offer.
More than 200 volunteers already support SNVB’s work, and the transformed Riverside Community Hub will provide a stronger base for volunteering, partnership working and community action.
Cllr Charlie Hastie, Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities at WNC, said: “SNVB makes a real difference to people’s lives every day, whether that’s helping people access food and advice, tackling isolation or simply providing somewhere welcoming to turn to. Its staff, volunteers and partners show just how important our voluntary and community organisations are to life across West Northamptonshire”.
“Giving SNVB long-term security at Riverside Community Hub means it can invest in the building, attract further funding and build on the fantastic work already happening there. Most importantly, it creates the opportunity for more organisations to work together in one place, making it easier for residents to find the help and support they need, when they need it.”
Helen Barrett, Chief Executive Officer from South Northamptonshire Volunteer Bureau (SNVB), said: “Securing Riverside Community Hub is a huge milestone for SNVB, and testimony to the amazing efforts and generosity of staff, volunteers, local businesses and partner organisations who have come together to make Riverside such a vibrant place for the hundreds of local residents who enjoy visiting us every week.
“This long-term lease gives us an exciting opportunity to invest in the building, attract vital funding, and create a modern, sustainable hub for local people and community groups in South Northamptonshire. We are deeply grateful to West Northamptonshire Council for their support and trust in our vision for the future of community service in Towcester.”