The Axiom Arts co-operative was born from a campaign to purchase the former arts centre in Cheltenham which had come up for sale in late 2013. Although the right to bid was declined the group are finding new premises with the help of local benefactor Mr Hekmat Kaveh.

Campaigners joined forces with local partnership Creative Solutions who had negotiated a years lease for an arts shop in Coronation Square, a shopping centre which has been a cause of concern for many community members..

The group are now registering as a Community Benefit society and taking over the shop in Coronation Square.

The project has wide support across Cheltenham. A community organiser will continue to support the group and new volunteers.

What we'll deliver:

• We will reclaim space in a shopping centre for use by the community.
• We will encourage opportunities for those who traditionally find the arts diffiicult to access.
• We will refit the shop so that it is fit for purpose.
• We will register as a Community benefit society to encourage community ownership of the project,

Why it's a great idea:

Have a look at the Facebook page and see what the public think about it...

https://www.facebook.com/LetsBuyTheAxiom

Coronation Square is a shopping centre in Cheltenham in an area which has for years held a reputation for deprivation. Many businesses closed down in the once thriving centre and the community have consistently emphasised their hopes for the area to come back into use. It is hoped that the shop will have the added effect of encouraging business to return to the newly renovated shopping centre.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-gloucestershire-22974711

http://www.gloucestershireecho.co.uk/undefined-headline/story-20448913-detail/story.html

Steps to get it done:

• Existing networks of campaigners and public support. Formation of working groups and skills clusters. Egalitarianism.

Although applications for grants have been made a decision cannot be reached until July and it is imperative that registration of the co-op is achieved at the bare minimum.

The business structure that was chosen will allow for a democratic and transparent operation to allow local community members to keep ownership over the project, offering community shares at a minimum of ten for £1 per share. Volunteers will be supported by a full time community organiser who helps them to collect and use listening data to demonstrate the felt need for these kinds of activities to resume in Coronation Square and any other matters which may arise, focusing on the loves and concerns of local networks.