Nightclub reborn as supported housing

A former nightclub in Mansfield has been transformed to provide homes for people with learning disabilities.

The Old Eight Bells, which had been left empty since 2018, has been converted into eight apartments alongside community and office space. 

Part of Mansfield District Council’s Church Street rejuvenation plan, the development was made possible through £1.6 million of funding from the Resonance Supported Homes Fund, with additional investment from Barrow Cadbury Trust and Better Society Capital.

United Response, the mental health and disability charity, will lease the properties and provide on-site support for tenants, while also running the building’s community space.

A £17,000 grant from the Morrisons Foundation will also fund activities for tenants and the wider Mansfield community, helping breathe new life into the historic building and creating a hub of care and inclusion in the town centre.

Officials say the project is designed to offer independent living with tailored wraparound support, addressing Nottinghamshire’s shortage of high-quality supported housing.

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.”

Mark Dyer, development manager at United Response, added: “Our work with Resonance Supported Homes Fund is delivering incredible outcomes for people with learning disabilities or autistic people.

“Through our partnership, we have been able to develop high-quality housing for people we support in the heart of their own community.

“We’re hugely grateful for their support of our recent project, Church Street in Mansfield.

“The development enables people to live independently and experience town centre living with the security of on-site support. 

There is also community space where people can make new friends and develop new skills.”

Tenants began moving in following the official launch event, which was attended by investors, landlords and families. 

One of the first residents, Emma Dodd, who has Down’s Syndrome, will benefit from independent living with the assistance of her therapy dog Robin and the support of United Response staff.

Aynsley, Emma’s twin sister, said: “It’s taken a long, long time to find somewhere that was going to meet her entire needs.

“For Emma, and anybody else that is living with a disability, it is essential that they feel able to live their life as independently as possible but still receive the right amount of care and support that they need.

“Thanks to United Response and Resonance, she now has her own space, her own friends and is taking part in lots of meaningful activities.

“Emma now feels she is important, and her voice is being heard.”

Emma, Aynsley and Robin

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