Big Hersham Re-Launch: free entry on 8 September

demoduck.co.uk editorial team 2026-08-10 19:17 Updated: 19:28 3 min read

Large red billboard reading Community Is Strength attached to an urban brick building facade.

Hersham Centre will reopen with The Big Hersham Re-Launch on Tuesday 8 September, giving local residents their first chance to explore the refreshed community space. The free, drop-in event runs from 10am to 2pm at Hersham Centre in Elmbridge. A roast lunch from Café Hope will also be available for a £5 contribution on the day.

Organised by Voices of Hope, the community event combines games and food with an introduction to the centre’s plans. Residents can meet the team, see the reopened facilities and hear how the programme will develop during the autumn.

When and where the Hersham event takes place

Detail	Confirmed information
Event	The Big Hersham Re-Launch
Date	Tuesday 8 September 2026
Time	10am to 2pm
Venue	Hersham Centre, Hersham, Elmbridge
Entry	Free, drop-in event
Lunch	Café Hope roast lunch, £5 contribution
Organiser	Voices of Hope

Elmbridge Borough Council confirmed the reopening arrangements in its Connected Communities update published on 7 August. The centre is temporarily closed while Voices of Hope completes essential repairs and prepares the building for its return to community use.

The launch is aimed at local residents, including existing centre users and people interested in its new activities, volunteering opportunities or practical support. No advance booking requirement is listed: visitors are invited to drop in during the four-hour event.

Games, lunch and the centre’s future plans

Mahjong, Scrabble and Bridge will be among the games available during the day. Visitors will also be able to meet members of the Voices of Hope team and try the roast lunch served by Café Hope, which will sit at the heart of the reopened centre as a place for refreshments and conversation.

At 1pm, the team will present its vision for Hersham Centre and outline the programme planned for the coming months. Residents will be invited to contribute ideas about how the venue can develop as a community hub.

The autumn programme is expected to mix returning activities with several additions. The confirmed plans include Hope Kitchen healthy cooking sessions, BRITE Box volunteering, Family Fun Fitness for children and adults, Mini Movers for children under four, strength and mobility classes, additional art classes and live music afternoons.

The programme also names Walton Stroke Group, Aphasia Talk Surrey and Community Connectors among the services or groups due to use the centre. Together, the activities are intended to provide different routes into exercise, social contact, volunteering, learning and support rather than limiting the venue to a single age group.

Practical details before attending

Entry to The Big Hersham Re-Launch is free, while anyone choosing the Café Hope roast lunch will be asked for a £5 contribution on the day. The invitation is explicitly described as drop-in, so residents can attend without a stated booking process.

The council’s published notice does not provide a street address, event-specific transport guidance or accessibility information. Visitors who need those details can contact Voices of Hope at ourplaces@voh.org.uk before travelling. The 1pm presentation is the fixed point in the programme for residents who specifically want to hear about future activities or offer ideas for the centre.

Source: Elmbridge Borough Council

Context & actions About this article

Source check Source trail

The date, opening hours, venue, entry arrangements and lunch contribution were checked against Elmbridge Borough Council’s published update.

Checks

Confirmed The Big Hersham Re-Launch is scheduled for Tuesday 8 September 2026.
Confirmed the event runs from 10am to 2pm at Hersham Centre.
Confirmed entry is drop-in and the Café Hope roast lunch carries a £5 contribution.
Confirmed the future-vision presentation is scheduled for 1pm.

Elmbridge Borough Council Check local coverage