News / Barton Hill
Hope disused Barton Hill building will be restored for community use
Thick strands of ivy hang over the Barton Hill Tenants Association sign above the door of a once-thriving building that has stood empty for years.
Boarded up and flecked with graffiti, the derelict property on Avonvale Road that sits in the shadows of a tall tower block has become an eyesore, but Samira Musse has long seen its potential.
“It’s an amazing space,” says the founder of Barton Hill Activity Club, who is one of the people spearheading a campaign for more community spaces in the neighbourhood.
is needed now More than ever
“We need a place we can have free access to, something that the children of Barton Hill, regardless of their background, can all benefit from,” continues Samira.
“We want everyone in the neighbourhood to benefit.”
Samira Musse (top, right) founded the Barton Hill Activity Club in 2019 for children in the area – photo (taken pre-Covid) by Ellie Pipe
Just up the road from Banksy’s Valentine, which briefly captured the attention of the nation’s media before it was boarded up early last year, and opposite St Luke’s Barton Hill Church, the former tenants association building is set to start a new chapter that residents in the area hope could give them a much-needed community space.
Bristol City Council took back control of the site in 2014 after its use as a social club had stopped and has now announced the formal process is underway for the sale of the leasehold, with the ambition that its future should be community-led.
What exactly this will look like is yet to be determined but could include housing. The council is currently carrying out surveys to determine what state the building is in and what its future might hold.
……………………………..
Read more: The club making a difference to children’s lives in Barton Hill
……………………………..
Samira is positive about what this might mean for the neighbourhood, which has immense community spirit but a severe lack of services and places for people. There is no library or dedicated youth centre and while the Wellspring Settlement is a well-used resource, it is limited in size and Samira says can get very booked up.
She is open to the idea of housing, saying this is also much-needed in the area, but wants to see at least the first two floors of the building restored for wider community use.
The former Barton Hill Tenants Association Club has stood empty for several years – photo by Ellie Pipe
Abdihakin Asir, chair of the Bristol Somali Community Association, shares her vision saying the building must go straight back to the community and be transformed into a multi-purpose space that is accessible for people of all ages.
“There are so many things missing in the area,” Abdikhan tells Bristol24/7.
“Parents and schools are trying their best, but many children do not have all the services that will support them to do well.”
A long-term resident of Barton Hill, Abdikhan remembers when the building was a thriving community hub and wants to see it restored and adapted so that it is fit for current and future generations.
He is nervous about whether the plans for the property will be genuinely community-led, saying residents in the area do not have a voice in the city.
“Many people want to give back to the community but there are not enough areas and spaces that are accessible to use,” says Abdikhan, pointing out that renting venues for regular use is not an option for many families and organisations with little or no funds.
“We want to bring people together and allow them to grow together – they need to have a place where they can do that.”
It is hoped the empty building could be transformed into a multi-purpose community space – photo by Ellie Pipe
Writing about the disused building last week, mayor Marvin Rees said he wants to see it start a new “community-led chapter”.
“Once the national restrictions allow people to come together again, spaces like these can be part of how we build back better,” said the mayor.
Bristol City Council confirmed Work has been carried out on this building recently to clear the inside and make it more secure.
A spokesperson said: “Our ambition is to ensure its future is community-led and we have considered its potential for community housing. A condition survey is planned to better understand the state of the building and in turn inform potential future use.
“As a property listed as an asset of community value, we have started the formal process for the leasehold sale of the building, in anticipation of community-led initiatives emerging.”
The mayor says he wants the building to start a new ‘community-led’ chapter – photo by Ellie Pipe
Main photo by Ellie Pipe
Read more: Fighting to ensure children in Barton Hill don’t get left behind
Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
