A Nottingham charity has submitted £2 million plans to transform a former dance studio into accommodation for the city's homeless community. Officials at Emmanuel House hope to convert the first and second floors of its Goose Gate building to provide 20 beds.
The plans which have been submitted to Nottingham City Council seek a change of use for the floors which had been used for the Summer Knight dance studio, which relocated to new premises in July. The dance studio, which was open on the second floor, has been open since the 1930s and has since moved to Woodthorpe to new premises.
Read more: Nottingham pubs make difficult decision on outdoor heating ahead of winter months
The 'New Vision' project by Emmanuel House will have en-suite facilities, food and 24-hour support provided by the charity team of trained specialists. The project is set to cost the charity £2m and will commence as soon as planning is approved and funding available.
The plans have been submitted on behalf of the charity by CPMG Architects and the project will be managed by property and construction consultancy EDGE.
Denis Tully, chief executive of Emmanuel House, said: “Our ambition is to reduce the number of people who are homeless in Nottingham city for the benefit of individual people, the neighbourhood and for the city of Nottingham as a whole. The project fits with the city’s strategic plan to tackle homelessness. It will make a significant contribution to year-round emergency respite care.
“We have a new vision for Emmanuel House and for Nottingham’s provision to support some of its most vulnerable people. Our purpose as an organisation is to tackle isolation, vulnerability and homelessness within our community. This project is an extension of this mission.”
Nick Gregory, director at CPMG, said: “I knew that Emmanuel House was an incredible organisation, but as we’ve worked with them, my admiration for their compassion and commitment to helping those in need of support has grown – they are an inspiration. I am extremely proud that we can assist in bringing these proposals forward - the impact they have will be considerable”.
The plans will include a one-to-one meeting space, 24-hour security, a common room, a computer suite and a consultation space. There will also be rooms with disabled access. The second phase of the project will include a ground-floor renovation to update the open-access support centre.
Geoff Tindsley, director at EDGE, said: “Emmanuel House makes such a difference to people in the Nottingham area, and this new accommodation offering will enhance its service further, so we’re incredibly proud to have a role in supporting this. We’re working closely alongside the Trustees to help the organisation enhance its vital services even further, and we look forward to seeing the vision become a reality.”
Emmanuel House has provided vital support for many people across Nottinghamshire. The charity has operated a Winter Shelter in community halls across the county since 2006 which has been able to provide 1,621 people with accommodation in the short term.
Amid Covid restrictions, Emmanuel House moved the Winter Shelter into a hotel under the Government's 'Everybody In' initiative when the government instructed all local authorities to move homeless people into single-room accommodation.
Between March 2020 to June 2021, Emmanuel House provided 14,325 night's protection at the hotel for 334 people who would have otherwise been rough sleeping in the city. The project came to an end in 2021 but restrictions meant that a return to the previous locations was no longer feasible.
Denis added: “Every day we’re reminded that homelessness can happen to anyone. This provision is for people who are in crisis and have nowhere else to go. They will be provided with support and a platform to access more secure accommodation. It will also make it easier for people who are homeless to get the services they need, such as medical care.
“Emmanuel House is delighted to be making the first step in undertaking this vital and ground-breaking project. Over the past 12 years, the Winter Shelter has provided emergency accommodation for 1,621 people, of which 952 were supported in finding long-term accommodation. This on-site provision will continue to offer life-changing support to many more people in the city.”
Read more:
- Jake Bugg opens up on the 'support of Nottingham' as he prepares for huge hometown gig
- Fi reworks and bonfire night 2022 events in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire
- Owner upset as Nottingham takeaway forced to close over 500 percent energy increase
- Neighbours love living next to 'amazing' Goose Fair site - and are glad it's back
- The latest shopping news from Nottinghamshire Live
