Community Plaza™ Expands Nationally With New Centres Planned in Rotherham and negotiations for Wolverhampton branch.
After Bordesley Green witnessed a landmark moment with the opening of the first Community Plaza franchise September 2025 ,created to confront crime, inequality, and social exclusion, while restoring pride and opportunity in the area. The centre is the first to open under the Community Plaza™ franchise and licensing framework, a model designed to roll out similar centres nationwide.
A Brand Built for National Impact
Community Plaza™ was founded and is owned by Sajad Khaliq, a prominent media figure who has led a respected, award-winning local newspaper for 19 years. Drawing on his long-standing involvement with grassroots communities, Mr Khaliq developed Community Plaza as a replicable, franchise-led brand, allowing trusted local operators to deliver meaningful community services under a single, recognised identity.
Speaking at the launch, Mr Khaliq said:
“Community Plaza is about creating a system that works — one that allows proven leaders to take ownership of change in their communities, with the backing of a strong national brand.”
Franchise Awarded on Track Record of Achievement.
Explaining the decision, Community Plaza founder Sajad Khaliq noted that franchise licences are granted to individuals who demonstrate commitment, credibility, and the ability to deliver real outcomes within their communities.
Community Plaza gives the space and the tools to help the local community and the youth in particular.
A Hub Designed Around Community Needs
Community Plaza has been developed in direct response to local priorities and will offer a wide range of services, including:
Youth mentoring and engagement programmes
Knife crime awareness and prevention sessions
Women-focused support and coffee mornings
Equality and empowerment initiatives
Family health and wellbeing support
Skills development and employability workshops
Recreational activities such as pool, snooker, table tennis, darts, and gaming
A hot food kitchen aimed at encouraging social connection
The Road Ahead
Looking to the future, Mr Khaliq outlined plans to expand the Community Plaza™ network beyond Birmingham:
“This centre is the starting point. Through our franchise and licensing model, Community Plaza will grow into a national network, supporting communities with long-term solutions rather than short-term fixes.”
With operations now underway, Community Plaza Bordesley Green stands as both a local anchor for support and opportunity, and the flagship site of a growing Community Plaza™ movement, focused on reducing crime, strengthening communities, and creating pathways to a better future.
