To many people, Woking is a commuter town set in Surrey’s stockbroker belt. Few realise that it also has the largest and most varied ethnic population in the county and a large percentage of this population lives in one ward – Canalside (formerly Central and Maybury). This area of Woking surrounds the town centre.

In 1987, the Central and Maybury Community Association (CAMCA) was formed to campaign for a community centre. A survey of residents’ needs clearly showed that the local population wanted a focal point for community activities. Woking Community Relations Forum as well as the local borough council, health, education, social services, police and other statutory/voluntary services, gave further support to the campaign. 

In 1988, Woking Borough Council formally recognised the need for a community centre and applied to purchase the property which was formerly Maybury Infant School. However, the acquisition of the site was considerably protracted and it was only in 1993 that the final legal hurdles were overcome and work could begin on the conversion. 

The Maybury Centre was officially opened by Sir Trevor McDonald, OBE on 28th September 1994. The Centre currently has on average 20,000 visitors each quarter.