Jess Brown-Fuller Attends Grand Opening of Chichester Men's Shed

On Saturday 31 May 2026, Chichester MP Jess Brown-Fuller attended the grand opening of Chichester Men's Shed at The Fishbourne Centre, marking the culmination of six years of planning, fundraising and community effort. 

The Men's Shed movement aims to provide spaces where people can come together to work on practical projects and combat the isolation and loneliness that affects so many. The Chichester branch has its roots in 2020, when founding Chairman Brian Bird spotted a sign for Havant Men's Shed while driving through the town. Struck by the idea, he brought the concept to the Rotary Club of Chichester, setting in motion what would become a years-long journey to establish a permanent home for the organisation. 

Jess Brown-Fuller MP attended the grand opening of Chichester Men's Shed at The Fishbourne Centre.

After registering as a charity in November 2021 and holding early meetings at The Boys Club in Little London, the group moved to the Fishbourne Centre in January 2023. Finding a permanent base proved a significant challenge: 24 different sites were considered before Councillor Adrian Moss suggested a plot on Fishbourne Playing Fields. A 20-year lease was completed in May 2024, incorporating the former cricket pavilion known as the Cuckoo Shed, alongside two newly built timber workshops named Magpie and Swallow. 

The project was funded entirely through grants and donations, including awards from the National Lottery Community Fund, the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and the Rural England Prosperity Fund, as well as contributions from local individuals, trusts and, in a generous gesture, £5,000 from the Bognor Regis Shed when it closed.  

Commenting on Jess’ visit, Peter Beckett of Chichester Men's Shed said: 

“We’re so pleased that Jess was there to cut the ribbon for our official opening. Now we will turn our attention to helping more people enjoy what the Men’s Shed has to offer.” 

Following the opening, Jess said:  

"What the team at Chichester Men's Shed have built here, in every sense of the word, is remarkable. This has been a six-year labour of love, driven entirely by volunteers who believed in what a space like this could offer their community.  

We know that loneliness and isolation have a very real impact on people's health and wellbeing, and places like this make a genuine difference to people's lives. I am so proud to have this in our constituency, and I look forward to seeing it go from strength to strength." 

Jess has been a consistent supporter of community organisations across the constituency and her attendance at the grand opening reflects her wider commitment to tackling social isolation and championing the voluntary sector.