Leaders of a community cafe and arts space in a race against time to raise enough money to save their centre are closing in on their target. Zion Community still need to raise another £64,000 in a month to be able to buy the former church in Bedminster Down and stop it being sold to someone else.
But the centre’s founder Jess Wright said that final £64,000 seems 'a lot more achievable now' than when they started a couple of months ago - and have since raised more than £176,000. The cafe and arts centre was set up 11 years ago in an empty chapel building and has since become a key part of the community in BS13.
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But the owner of the building told Jess and the team that run the centre that they want to sell - and said they would give them six months to raise enough money to buy it themselves, or it would be sold on the open market - and would probably be bought by someone who would want to turn it into flats or convert it into one home.
So earlier this year, Zion Community began what looked like an ambitious task, to raise £229,300 to secure the building. A share offer was set up, along with a straightforward crowdfunder, and last month the directors extended the deadline for that to give every chance for people to donate or invest, and for an outstanding application for a grant to come in.
And on Friday, the fundraising efforts received another boost - the pledge of £5,000 from former Bristol Mayor and Tobacco Factory owner George Ferguson. He backed the efforts to save Zion Community, and encouraged everyone in South Bristol to do what they can to help.
“Jess Wright’s creation of the Zion Community has been inspirational,” he said. “Zion has made a major social and cultural difference to so many in and around BS13.
“Community ownership for Zion is a crucial step towards creating a cultural network across Bristol, which is even more important as the cost of living makes an impact. I am pleased to be able to help in a small way and to encourage others to save this very special South Bristol social enterprise for good,” he added.
The deadline has been extended to August 5, with the final push now on. Jess said the appeal wasn’t just about saving the community centre - it would mean it going from strength to strength as they would be able to expand, get more grants and invest if the community owned the building.
“I really feel that Zion is a crucial space for our community on BS13, we are seeing the cost of living crisis impact on so many and this is on top of the wellbeing issues that have just started to take their toll after the years of Covid restrictions,” she said. “If we lose yet another safe space in South Bristol then this will have serious consequences for many.
“The last 11 years have been an absolute pleasure living and working in Bedminster Down, we have seen Zion grow from strength to strength and we believe this is the best time to cement the future of the centre through community ownership,” she added.
To find out more about the Zion Community Space fundraising efforts, visit here.
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