In early 1964, after several years of fundraising and having outgrown its base at Holbrook Avenue, Mencap resolved to purchase 27 Bilton Road as a new headquarters and enhanced training facility. The property was acquired for £6,250 (approximately £280,000 in today’s terms). Planning permission was granted soon afterwards, and fundraising efforts continued, with generous support from local businesses and charities helping to finance refurbishment and associated costs.

In response to a generous donation from the A.E.I. Apprentices’ ‘Rag’ Committee, Mencap Company Secretary G. Ambler commented: “this has been tremendous news for us coming at a time when we have committed ourselves not only to the purchase of the building but also to converting it to the needs of the learning disabled children.  The cost of some rebuilding, decorating, furniture, kitchen equipment, toys and of the many other expenses the Society must incur if the job of helping the learning disabled and their families is to be comprehensive, will be extremely high. We could not have embarked on this ambitious scheme had we not had ample proof of the generosity of the people of Rugby.”

[Language updated to reflect current terminology]