The Old Library in Eastville has started a £50,000 fundraising campaign to improve its facilities after the community hub had to demolish previous work. Plans to improve the centre in 2020 were dealt a blow by a builder who was contracted to do the work.
A spokesperson for the Old Library said: “Back in 2020, plans to make improvements were scuppered when a builder demanded 60% of the cost of the build upfront, then failed to comply with building regulations. We were unable to get the money back and since 2020, costs have soared.
“Everything they did has to be demolished and started again,” she said, adding the hub desperately needs a new toilet accessible for everyone. She added the previous building work was inspected by a reputable building company and found to be substandard.
It included a shelter over the patio, which was deemed to be dangerous and taken down, while the extension to the accessible toilet was not completed and will be demolished before the fresh building work starts.
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Kate Staniforth, who runs the Bristol Umbrella Singers, an inclusive choir which meets every Friday, said: “The Old Library is a brilliant, welcoming space, but the current facilities just need improving and modernising.
“There is only one loo and often a queue,” she said. The new facility will allow volunteers to put on more events. They currently run a Community Cafe and hold events such as their Annual Summer Party, the monthly Repair Cafe, Quiz Nights, Climate Book Club, Forest School and a STEAM Club (science, technology, engineering arts and maths).
The community space is run by voluntary members and holds regular jumble sales, clothes swaps, toy sales. The venue is available for private hire for events such as birthday parties.
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The directors have engaged We Care to oversee the new building work and director, Nicky Sweetland said: “The lack of an accessible toilet has been holding us back for years. We really hope that this Crowdfunder will enable us to finally get the facilities we desperately need."
So far, the fundraiser has raised just over £1,000. For further information, contact directors@theoldlibrary.org.uk.
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