Thanks to National Lottery players, £1.7million has been earmarked for the Leyton Cricket Pavilion project.

The Grade II listed building will become a real food hub with a restaurant, café and training kitchen serving locally sourced food. Meanwhile, the historic tin hut and former dining room on site will become a food market selling local produce.

Waltham Forest Council leader, Coucillor Clare Coghill, said: “The aim is to revive these dilapidated facilities before they fall into further disrepair. This is a fantastic opportunity to put new life into a place that was a key part of Waltham Forest’s heritage and to turn it into facility that will offer the community the chance to come together to enjoy great food.

[quote=Stuart Hobley, Head of HLF London]"We are delighted that National Lottery players are able to support the preservation of this striking building, and provide a hub for the local community"[/quote]

“I am really excited that so many work and training opportunities will be offered in an area with high levels of social deprivation and that there will be an emphasis on healthy eating to address high levels of obesity. ” 

The pavilion was built in 1886 influenced by Tudor and Indian architecture and the tin hut was built 10 years later as a dining hall.

Stuart Hobley, Head of HLF London, said: “Leyton’s historic cricket pavilion is one of only three nationally designated buildings in the area, and is in a state of severe and deteriorating decay. We are delighted that National Lottery players are able to support the preservation of this striking building, and provide a hub for the local community, as well as supporting local businesses and boosting the local economy”.

Essex County Cricket Club

The site was home to Essex County Cricket Club till 1932 with county games played there until 1977 and the original wickets remaining in place today. Historic victories include Essex’s defeat of Australia by 126 runs in 1899. A world record partnership of 555 runs, which remains the record for any wicket in England, was set there in 1932.

The ground is still used for cricket and football matches today, although half of the pavilion is no longer in use. The team who worked on the restoration of the William Morris Gallery in Waltham Forest 2012 are behind the HLF funded project.