The idea
From a redundant church we will create a vibrant community café with free wifi. It will also be an entertainment and small conference venue. It will be a place where people can come together, meet socially 7 days a week.
There will be comfortable seating and tables, with a main hall to accommodate 150 people and seminar rooms also with multi media facilities each accommodating around 25 people round tables
It will be an entertainment venue for concerts, plays, films and a place where people can celebrate their marriage and other family events.
We will aim to be a zero carbon building with high levels of insulation and use of renewable energy. This will reflect our values but also make us a financially sustainable venue.
This stage of our project is working with our architects 'One17' to produce the detailed plans we will need to apply for significant funds from the Government's Community Ownership Fund.'
What we'll deliver
- Production of detailed survry reports on the condition of the building.
- Production professional plans for an energy efficient building.
- Production of a detailed bid to the Community Ownership Fund.
Why it's a great idea
It will create an open inclusive space were people can come together in a community where there is nothing like it at present. The knock on effect in terms of community well being will be massive. We want the centre to be the local community 'lounge' where everyone feels welcome and comfortable.
We want to create a building with a busy agenda providing something for people of all ages and backgrounds. Activities will include income generating activities such as wedding receptions, beer festivals and small conferences. These will support community activities that are less focused on generating income and more about maintaining the building as an open space for the whole community such as the community cafe, a comfortable work place for students, and home workers with free wifi and a place which community organisations can call home for their events and activities.
Steps to get it done
- Production of timber and window surveys by 31/1/24
- Production of Renewable Energy report by 31/1/24
- Produce proposals for enery efficiency of the building by 31/1/24
