A modern child development centre opens its doors in the heart of Fareham today following an ambitious transformation project.
Fareham and Gosport Child Development Centre will centralise and future proof important children’s community health services for local families.
The West Street building, previously an Indian restaurant, has been re-designed as a welcoming one-stop shop for children’s community medical, therapies and nursing services.
As well as 11 clinical rooms, therapy space and a large reception area, the new centre has first-floor offices for staff and second-floor storage.
The child-friendly décor, which includes colourful chairs, walls and artwork, was chosen following consultation with young patients and their families.
Neil Smith, Associate Director, Children’s Physical Health Services, said: “It’s been a long journey to get to this point, but we are really excited about welcoming our first patients through the doors into the new centre.
“Having our integrated services and teams together under one roof will enable us to provide better joined-up care for the children and young people of Fareham and Gosport.”
Mark Young, Deputy Director of Estates and Facilities, added: “Transforming a disused Indian restaurant into a modern children’s health hub was never going to be straightforward but we are delighted with what has been achieved.
“This new centre offers larger, more flexible space in a very accessible location, giving our clinical colleagues the best possible environment in which to treat their young patients.”
The Trust partnered with specialist investor and developer Assura plc to deliver the centre, which will house a wide range of children’s services, including community paediatrics, speech therapy, physiotherapy and occupational therapy.
Developers are aiming for the centre to be a Net Zero Carbon project, meaning the building will be highly energy efficient and powered from renewable energy sources, with any remaining carbon balance offset.
As well as significantly upgrading insulation at the building, an electric heat pump system has been installed which will use as much energy as possible from 72 new solar panels on the roof.
Alastair Barlow, Development Director at Assura, said: “This project is another great example of health on the high street; putting much needed healthcare facilities into the heart of the communities they serve. The result is this incredible state-of-the-art facility, giving the building a new lease of life which will meet the needs of the local community for many years to come.”
Previously known as Tiffins and Thalis restaurant, the new child health hub will open its doors to patients today, nearly two weeks after staff began settling into their new accommodation.
Work began on-site in November 2023, with developers handing over the premises to Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare in January 2025.
The new centre, on the junction of West Street and Quay Street, is close to public car parks and has excellent public transport links.