Much-loved venue to launch community share offer in bid to secure future

The team behind a “vital” art space and social hub in Bedminster Down are hoping the community will step up to help safeguard its future.

Since opening its doors in 2011 in a once-derelict chapel, Zion has been at the heart of the south Bristol neighbourhood and now runs more than 200 activities and events each year, as well as a popular café.

But its future is far from certain with the landlord of the building on Bishopsworth Road seeking to sell it.

The team at Zion have been given the opportunity to purchase the property and keep it in the hands of the community, a move that would mean the art space and multi-purpose venue could expand into the residential section of the building and use the additional space for events, activities, meetings and coworking facilities.

They are launching a community share offer on Monday in the hope people will purchase shares and raise the minimum of £249,300 needed to safeguard the venue as a space run for and by the community.

Unless this is successful, the building will be put up for sale on the private market and Zion Community Art Space will lose its home.

Jess Wright first started Zion more than a decade ago and is now set to stand down but wants to secure the future of the community space.

She said: “Over the last ten years, I’ve been working with the support of staff and residents to transform Zion from a derelict chapel to a buzzing community space.

“I’m so proud of how far we’ve come but now feels like the right time to hand over the reins to the community and let Zion grow. Whether you’re a regular customer, or have never been in Zion before, please help keep this space as it was always intended, for the community.”

Jess adds that this is a crucial time for the building that has served the community for some 130 years.

Zion is at the heart of the community in Bedminster Down – photo: Zion Community Art Space

The Zion team will launch their community share offer on Crowdfunder. The minimum investment is £100 with a projected return for investors. Residents of BS13 in receipt of benefits can buy shares in Zion for a minimum of £50.

Speaking about the much-loved community space, one customer said: “Every person is greeted by name and listened to – sometimes for long periods – as they talk about what’s going on in their lives.

“People aren’t walking into a cafe; they are walking into a community. Zion is the best thing that has happened to BS13 in recent years.”

It is hoped the community share offer will secure the future of Zion Community Art Space – photo: Zion Community Art Space

Hilary Sudbury, a local co-operative & social enterprise development worker and community shares practitioner has been helping Zion develop their community share offer.

Explaining more about how the community share offer would work, Hilary says: “Community ownership is an opportunity to buy and manage local facilities, safeguarding the activities within them, at a time when the owners want to sell.

“Owning the building will give long term security to Zion Community Space and the much-loved activities it houses. The minimum shareholding for membership is set low to encourage as many members as possible to show their support for and have a say in its future. Buy shares, become a member and have your say in the organisation thereafter.”

Find out more about the community share offer via: www.zionbristol.co.uk/communityshareoffer/

Main photo: Zion Community Art Space 

Read more: My Bristol Favourites: Jess Wright 

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