Things are hotting up at Bordon’s former fire station as its new guardians have enjoyed an encouraging housewarming following a community takeover.

The Whitehill & Bordon Community Trust (WBCT) have given the ex-MOD building a new lease of life.

The main building has been redecorated in a phased scheme with changes also planned at the adjacent eco-house and former Lloyds branch.

The Trust secured a deal for the Northern Gateway site last September after the complex on the corner of Station Road and Camp Road was deemed surplus to requirements by EHDC.

And big things are planned now they’re settled, with the renamed “Community Station” welcoming a growing number of town groups and organisations.

“We’ve got a lot to do still but the whole building has been painted, we’ve put new carpets in and all the tradespeople we’ve used have been local,” said Sian Manning, WBCT Community Development Officer.

“We’ve also now got a Warhammer club set up in here, we’ve put in kitchen facilities and the Woolmer Forest Heritage Society have taken over all the north wing of the building.”

“We want local groups to come here,” added Sian on the group’s ambitions for 2026.

“We want to fill all the spaces up and have regular groups running for the whole community, as this is a community hub.”

Peter Mercer loves the optimism surrounding the building after bagging the upstairs space for Mercer’s Gym following its move from the Enterprise Park.

He sees both the station and his gym as a “force for good” with the latter helping local teens and offering self-defence classes for women.

He said: “There were people that went for this space but I really liked the ethos and I’m happy the partnership stuck.

“This gym is a huge platform and you get to meet all the community in here.”