News / South Bristol
‘Vital’ community space at risk as church put up for sale
The area around West Street in Bedminster was once a thriving neighbourhood with numerous churches, pubs, shops and businesses.
Now what is described by locals as “the only community space left” in that part of south Bristol could be lost too with a former church used for “vital” activities being put up for sale.
Estate agents say Stanley Street South’s United Reformed Church, on the market for £500,000, has “great possibility for redevelopment”.
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But the building, built in the late 19th century, has a long history of being central to the community and currently houses a repair shop, toy library and food club as well as other community groups.
The church said it made the “heartbreaking” decision to sell due to dwindling congregation numbers and a loss of income post-Covid.
The former church is located just off West Street- photo: Perry Bishop
Way Out West (WOW), West Street’s neighbourhood group, said it feared the “important community hub” could be replaced by “another residential block on West Street”.
Speaking about the site’s importance, WOW secretary Stef Brammar said: “On West Street, which is long and is surrounded by lots of terraced streets, but there is no other community space.
“There’s a couple of pubs but many of them have closed and other churches closed years ago.
“The United Reformed Church is the only space where people can meet and talk and hold activities, so it’s really quite vital.”
Brammar said BS3 Repair Cafe is “incredibly popular” and “thriving” and South Bristol Toy Library, where people borrow a range of toys and play equipment, is “extremely well-used as well”.
Jackie Smith and local pharmacist Ade Williams are both involved in Bedminster Winter Lantern Parade which is run from the church hall – photo: Betty Woolerton
Jackie Smith, who helps run the weekly BS3 Food Club, said: “We knew towards the end of last year that the building would be going up for sale.
“But the hope was that it would still be sold to a church or community group that would continue to support the community.
“At the food club, we have about 60 families or individual people come to collect subsidised food every week.
“Although we’ve made alternative arrangements to go to the Methodist church on British Road, it would really be an asset that would be lost to the community.
Tessa Fitzjohn, Green councillor for Bedminster, added: “This is a very important community space, and could be the catalyst to regenerate West Street.”
In the building’s online marketing, Estate Agents Perry Bishop wrote: “We are delighted to be working together again with the United Reformed Church to sell this property in Bristol.
“Bedminster United Reformed Church was constructed in the late 19th Century having been extended in more recent years.
“It comprises of church, hall, meeting rooms and ancillary accommodation together with onsite parking in an area of established Victorian housing with some commercial and tertiary retail frontages.”
The site consists of a car park, various rooms as well as a main church hall – photo: Perry Bishop
In a statement, Andy Jackson, United Reformed Church head of communications, said: “The small congregation of Bedminster United Reformed Church decided last year that it was time to close.
“This is because there weren’t many regular worshippers and the congregation was ageing, impacting on who could help run the church.
“All churches need worshippers and volunteers to help manage the premises and to pay for its upkeep, especially with a large set of buildings like those at Bedminster.
“The loss of income after the Covid lockdown, which many churches have yet to recover from, along with the huge increases in power and other running costs means that some churches have had no choice but to take the heartbreaking decision to close.
“The activities at the church are essential to the community and the congregation asked that whoever takes over or purchases the premises is mindful of this.
“The interest from local councillors, the mayor and the local MP will no doubt impact any planning permission that might be sought after any sale.
“Sadly, we were unable to find a community church to take over the building and so we are bound by charity law to follow the legal process – selling the property commercially.
Activities based at the church include a food club and a toy library – photo: Betty Woolerton
Brammar said she would be “devastated” if the hall couldn’t be kept for the community.
“I’d be delighted if a good-hearted developer came along and came up with some kind of mixed-use solution, but I’m not too optimistic,” she went on.
“We do have another space in mind for the repair cafe, although we would prefer to stay here.”
Smith added: “If the building was maintained and upgraded, it would be a huge asset to the community.
“It’s a huge footprint and it could be used very practically for the community, such as a community cafe.”
Main photo: Jackie Smith
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