A CHURCH which was formerly the hub of the Ponteland community is to have new life breathed into it -thanks to the Malhotra Family Foundation.
The Ponteland United Reformed Church at Broadway, Darras Hall has been taken over by the Newcastle-based charitable organisation and will now re-open and once again become a space for residents, families and schools.
The Foundation was set up by Meenu Malhotra, CEO of The Malhotra Group PLC, with the aim of supporting communities both in the UK and internationally.
It aims to make a difference through education, health and social care, with the Ponteland scheme its first major project.
It is of particular interest to Mr Malhotra as he and his family have lived in the Darras Hall area for more than 35 years and have always been huge supporters of the local community.
A significant amount of money is being invested in the development which when completed will offer a community hub and workspace, along with the return of a nursery which previously operated at the site before the church closed, which will fill the gap in the provision of high-quality childcare for Darras Hall and the surrounding area.
A village tearoom will also be created on site – with work set to begin next year-, again with a view to having a space where the community can meet.
Meenu Malhotra DL, Chairman of Malhotra Group PLC and Founder of the Malhotra Family Foundation said the project would provide a significant resource for the local community.
“Reopening this landmark site as a charity‑led hub reflects our Foundation’s mission to strengthen communities and support young families across the North East,” he said.
His words were echoed by Atul Malhotra, COO of Malhotra Group PLC which owns hospitality outlets and care homes, along with managing a large property portfolio.
“Our aim is to create a community space that truly belongs to local residents—a place that supports families, celebrates the area’s heritage, and gives back to our community,” he said.
Legal advice and support for the acquisition were provided by the Commercial Property Team at Sweeney Miller Law, led by Managing Partner, Surbhi Vedhara.
Surbhi Vedhara said:
“We were delighted to assist the Malhotra Family Foundation with this exciting project. It’s always rewarding to help bring a vision to life—especially one that will deliver such positive impact for families and the wider community in Darras Hall.”