Work begins on Shipley Salvation Army refurbishment
published on 4 Feb 2026
Work has started on a major refurbishment of Shipley Salvation Army which will help them support more people in the community.
The building upgrade at the church and charity in Rhodes Place will increase accessibility as well as provide a sensory room, kitchen, seating area and a multi-use community room.
Improvements will be made to the main worship hall while a new outdoor space will be opening creating a haven in the centre of the building.
Shipley Salvation Army church leader Captain Laura McLean said: “We’re delighted that work has started to improve our building. We’ve been working on the plans for a long time and know it will provide not only an improved worship space, but plenty of areas where we can offer support to members of our church and community. It’s going to provide us with some wonderful opportunities to connect and serve.
“To get to the point where we are seeing changes start to happen and to know that our vision for the building and for The Salvation Army in Shipley is starting to take shape is fantastic.
“This much-needed refurbishment will increase accessibility. We will have a sensory room providing a safe space for families, a well-equipped kitchen, comfortable and welcoming seating, a multi-use community room for groups and a spacious, inclusive, accessible worship hall for intergenerational worship.
“We’ve also worked hard to make the building sustainable and reduce the impact on the environment with inclusion of ethically sourced solar panels, electric vehicle charge points and an efficient air source heat pump system.”
The work, which is being carried out by Bradford based Whitaker & Leach, will include replacing both ground and first floors, creating a new toilet block, outdoor decked area, a new link walkway from the pavement to the first floor and making the building more energy efficient.
Shipley Salvation Army has been serving the community for more than 140 years. It provides toddler groups, an after-school club, craft and chat sessions, Sunday worship, brass band lessons and a stand-alone Uniform Exchange.
They are still raising money for some of the internal improvements. You can donate to the project here
