Open For Business: Cornerstone House and Cornerstone Cafe Resume Operation Post-Lockdown

Cornerstone House Centre’s community-owned building has reopened to the public following First Minister Nicola Sturgeon’s announcement that North Lanarkshire has returned to Level 3 coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions.  

With relevant safety precautions, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and high standards of cleanliness in place, the popular facility at 1 Esk Walk (Town Centre, Cumbernauld, G67 1BZ) resumed operation on Saturday 12 December 2020. Cornerstone Café reopened a few days later at 10.00am on Tuesday 15 December 2020.

Since Scottish Government increased local pandemic restrictions to Level 4 on Friday 20 November 2020, the building had been closed at all times except a Thursday evening opening of crisis service provider Bethlehem House of Bread Food Bank and delivery of an essential Hub coordinated by Partners In Play. Mary McNeil, Development Manager at Cornerstone House Centre, commented:

“As Christmas approaches, Cornerstone House Centre is extremely pleased that its community-owned facility has reopened and we look forward to welcoming back our regular and occasional service users.

“We thank all tenants and visitors for their patience and understanding during this second period of building closure over these unprecedented past few months.

“As before, the health and safety of all Centre visitors is of utmost priority. Hence, it remains the case that you must not enter the building if you have any symptoms of COVID-19 or if you have been instructed to self-isolate.

“Furthermore, in line with Scottish Government guidance, all Centre visitors are asked to adhere to the on-site instructions on safe walking routes around the premises, to regularly use the hand sanitising stations that have been placed around the building and to strictly maintain two-metre social distancing measures at all times.

“Meanwhile, The Community Space within Antonine Shopping Centre which is managed by Cornerstone House Centre will continue to open for specific events only at present. The organisation is working towards a full and safe reopening of this facility in 2021.”

Given its considerable size, openness and suitability for social distancing, Cornerstone House has been playing a major role since August 2020 in enabling Cumbernauld-based community groups, voluntary sector organisations, social enterprises, businesses and public sector agencies to cautiously yet safely return to providing face-to-face services.

Since the summer and the first reopening of services, many Cumbernauld organisations have faced the challenge of finding an alternative suitable venue for delivering provisions in a safe and protected manner.

One major advantage which Cornerstone House has over many other community venues in relation to social distancing is that the facility is large, wide and highly spacious, making it a perfect place for organisations to set up base in a spaced-out pattern for various purposes including training, meetings, exercise classes, community events, trading and much more.

Notably, the disabled-friendly building has a very open and roomy layout with easy opportunities to see and assess the movement of others from a distance apart. It benefits from having modern spacious toilets, an open-plan kitchen area and the absence of tight corridors and blind corners.  

Crucially, for groups which ordinarily hire small, contained facilities in and around Cumbernauld, Cornerstone House Centre can offer a short or long term suitably alternative venue as the local area recovers and rebuilds from the coronavirus pandemic.

Those interested in hiring space can be assured that a full health and safety risk assessment in relation to COVID-19 has been undertaken and that Cornerstone House Centre as an organisation is committed to taking every reasonable step to ensure the safety of all visitors from the moment they enter until the moment they leave the building.

This includes Perspex screens at reception and other areas where Centre staff and volunteers are operating, hand sanitising stations and a controlled one-way walking system within the facility.

The largest amenity in Cornerstone House is an adaptable Conference Hall, which under normal circumstances has a capacity to accommodate 500 theatre style, 250 for tabled meetings and 80 for fitness classes. Even at 25% capacity due to social distancing measures, the Conference Hall is comfortably able to safely host a significant number of people.

The Centre also contains a modern ICT and Soft Skills Suite, several large and small meeting rooms suitable for one-to-one meetings, group meetings and weekly activities, and office facilities which can be employed as a permanent or outreach base for local organisations.

Each room within the building has been customised to meet social distancing requirements. A full overview of facilities available can be accessed by clicking here, noting that the capacities highlighted relate to normal operation and non-social distancing.

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HIRE QUALITY MULTI-PURPOSE FACILITIES AT CORNERSTONE HOUSE IN 2021

Cornerstone House’s central location, ease of access for parking and close proximity to Cumbernauld Bus Terminal, Antonine Shopping Centre, Tesco Extra and Fleming House make it a prime venue for many groups to utilise.

Since opening in 2010, the facility has become an established, popular and contemporary meeting place for Cumbernauld citizens. Visitors to the building can also sample the breakfasts, lunches, snacks, refreshments and takeaways of Cornerstone Cafe.

Enquiries relating to one-off, time-fixed and longer term bookings for 2021 are now being taken by Cornerstone House Centre.

If you may be interested in hiring rooms or facilities, please contact the organisation on 01236 739220 or e-mail admin@cornerstone-house.org.uk. Alternatively, enquiries can be directed through our website contact page.

Click Here to Access Information About and Images of Cornerstone House Centre’s Facilities