About Us
Finding Inspiration in Every Turn
Park Centre is a registered charity (Charity No. 1203295) and community centre based in the heart of Burgess Hill, West Sussex. We provide a welcoming, inclusive and affordable space for local people, community groups, charities and organisations to meet, learn and take part in activities that improve health, wellbeing and social connection.
Run by Park Centre Burgess Hill CIO and overseen by a board of trustees, our mission is to ensure the centre remains a safe and sustainable community hub for generations to come.
Our Story & History
More Than a Building. A Community Legacy.
For more than 150 years, Park Centre has been at the heart of Burgess Hill. Since opening in 1872, it has been a place where people of all ages have come together to learn, celebrate, seek support and build lasting connections.
Like every community, we've experienced both challenges and triumphs. When the building closed in 2021, many feared this much loved community space would be lost forever. Instead, local people came together with a shared determination to protect its future.
Calley play with layout and a link to the heritage society and link to the other about us pages
Our journey is far from over. As you explore the timeline below, you'll discover how Park Centre has evolved over the past 150 years and how we're continuing to build an even brighter future for Burgess Hill.
Discover more about Park Centre and the history of Burgess Hill via the local Burgess Hill Heritage and History Association : Lost and standing heritage - Burgess Hill Heritage History
Recent years of Park Centre
Through the dedication of volunteers, trustees, supporters and funders, Park Centre was given a new lease of life. After years of hard work, the building reopened in September 2025 as a thriving charity and community hub, once again welcoming local people through its doors.
Today, Park Centre is more than a historic building it's a place where communities grow stronger, friendships are formed, wellbeing is supported and opportunities are created. Every activity, event and partnership helps us fulfil our mission of bringing people together and strengthening our community.
The Story Continues...
Park Centre Burgess Hill CIO is committed to ensuring that Park Centre continues to serve the local community for generations to come.
Our vision is to transform Park Centre into a modern, welcoming, sustainable and truly inclusive youth and community centre, while preserving its important role at the heart of Burgess Hill.
We have already secured planning permission for major accessibility improvements, including a Changing Places toilet, level access throughout the building and a lift providing access to the first floor. These improvements will help more people access and enjoy everything Park Centre has to offer.
Our longer-term plans are equally ambitious. We aim to install solar panels, create a biodiverse roof and upgrade the building's windows, doors and roof, improving both its energy efficiency and sustainability. We also plan to refurbish the existing rooms to a high standard, creating comfortable, attractive and practical spaces for the people and organisations who use them.
Our goal is to bring this much-loved community building into the modern day and create a centre that is fit for the future.
With continued investment and the support of our community, we want Park Centre to remain a place where people can meet, connect, learn, exercise, access support and take part in community life for many years to come.
See our full plans for Park Centre at .
Documents for reference DM/24/2288: Public Access
Help us build the future of Park Centre
Every donation, fundraising effort, volunteer and community partnership brings us one step closer to making our vision a reality.
Every person who visits, volunteers, hires a room, attends an activity or supports our charity becomes part of Park Centre's story. Together, we're preserving our heritage, investing in our future and ensuring this special place continues to serve Burgess Hill for generations to come.