Work to transform a former community centre into a transport hub is set to begin.

Jules House – close to Rutland Memorial Hospital in Oakham – will start to be refurbished and extended as part of a £23million levelling up scheme.

The building will act as a base for Local Link – Rutland County Council's new rural transport service.

The £4.5m project will see a revamp of the current site into a new community space and so-called 'mobi-hub'.

There will be parking spaces created and a turning point for minibuses, while the first floor will be rented as office space.

Work is due to start at the end of February and will be completed within the next six months or so.

There has already been a £3m investment in three electric minibuses and other equipment to improve transport services.

Construction specialists Stepnell have been appointed to oversee the building work.

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Transport boss Cllr Christine Wise (Lib Dem) said: "The first phase of Local Link, including the introduction of some new fixed-route public transport services, launched in March 2025 with a lot of success and high user numbers.

"Expanding on this, Stepnell will be key to helping us achieve our ambitions for a new community and transport hub in the heart of Oakham – one that locates expert health, wellbeing and community support along a direct route for affordable and accessible public transport.

"Improving the travel opportunities for locals and visitors in rural areas is key to future-proofing our regional economy and growing it, as well as maintaining the health and wellbeing of our residents."

The improvements are part of the Rural Innovation in Action scheme.

Rutland County Council and Melton Borough Council submitted a joint bid for levelling up funds and were handed £23m in 2023.

Bosses say the project is aimed at bringing together the two rural market towns of Melton and Oakham into "one economic system" and focuses on the themes of food, digitisation, health, mobility and tourism innovation.

The Stockyard development in Melton is another major part of the initiative.