News / Zion

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

By Ellie Pipe  Tuesday Apr 19, 2022

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.

Independent journalism
is needed now More than ever
Keep our city's journalism independent. Become a supporter member today.

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 

Listen to the latest Bristol24/7 Behind the Headlines podcast:

Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
I want to receive (tick as many as you want):
I'm interested in (for future reference):
Marketing Permissions

Bristol24/7 will use the information you provide on this form to be in touch with you and to provide updates and marketing. Please let us know all the ways you would like to hear from us:

We will only use your information in accordance with our privacy policy, which can be viewed here - www.bristol247.com/privacy-policy/ - you can change your mind at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in the footer of any email you receive from us, or by contacting us at [email protected]. We will treat your information with respect.


We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By clicking below to subscribe, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing. Learn more about Mailchimp's privacy practices here.

Related articles

You've read %d articles this month
Consider becoming a member today
Independent journalism
is needed now More than ever
You've read %d articles this month
Consider becoming a member today
You've read %d articles this month
Consider becoming a member today
Join the Better
Business initiative
You've read %d articles this month
Consider becoming a member today
* prices do not include VAT
You've read %d articles this month
Consider becoming a member today
Enjoy delicious local
exclusive deals
You've read %d articles this month
Consider becoming a member today
Wake up to the latest
Get the breaking news, events and culture in your inbox every morning

Are you sure you want to downgrade?

You will lose some benefits you currently enjoy.
Benefits you will lose: