Ex-nightclub reopens as supported living homes

The Old Eight Bells building in Church Street is 100 years old

New homes for people with learning disabilities and autism are opening up on the site of a former nightclub.

The Old Eight Bells - once known as the Urban Cherry nightclub in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire - has been converted into eight supported apartments with community and office spaces, with its official opening set to take place on Tuesday.

The nightclub closed in 2018, and the district council approved plans for it to be turned into apartments in October 2021.

The £1.6m project was funded by the Resonance Supported Homes Fund in partnership with the charity United Response, which will provide on-site support services.

'Being heard'

Aynsley Dodd, 34, is supporting her twin sister Emma, who has Down's syndrome and is moving into one of the newly renovated flats because she wants to live independently.

Aynsley said: "It's taken a long, long time to find somewhere that was going to meet her needs.

"When someone has additional needs, it just makes it more complicated.

"It's really important for anybody that is living with disability, that they feel that they are able to live their life as independently as possible but still receive the right amount of care and support that they need.

"It's about them feeling that they are important and that they are being heard."

Emma Louise Dodd (right), pictured with Aynsley and support dog Robin, is one of the people moving into the new homes

Ben Harrison, senior consultant at Resonance, said: "We're delighted to breathe new life into this historic building in the heart of Mansfield town centre.

"We're proud to work with our partners to provide much-needed supported homes for members of the community."

The properties are being leased by Resonance to United Response, which will provide both landlord and support services to the tenants.

Mark Dyer, development manager at United Response, said: "Through our partnership, we have been able to develop high-quality housing for people we support in the heart of their own community."

The project has also received a £17,000 grant from the Morrisons Foundation charity, which will fund activities for both tenants and local residents.