A community space is at serious risk of closure if it fails to secure enough funding from the people of Bristol.
Zion Community Art Space in Bedminster Down has provided a lifeline for thousands of residents in the local area for the past 15 years. Occupying a former Methodist Chapel, the building has been a bustling hub serving the community for 120 years in total.
The last service was held in 2008, leaving the building derelict until it was completely transformed by the current owner Jess Wright back in 2011, reviving it into a landmark in BS13 for people of all ages and backgrounds. But as she has now decided to sell up, Jess is offering the community the opportunity to purchase this privately-owned building and save the space for future community use.
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Emma Moore, Outreach Co-ordinator and one of seven directors, has been with Zion since the very beginning, joining the new mums group and volunteering in the gardens. "The reason why I first came into the space was eleven years ago I'd just had a baby and I felt quite isolated," Emma explained.
"I'd been a local resident here for about 20 years. It was a place where you could go and get to know people. The network of friends I've got now is because of Zion in the local area."
The fundraiser is looking to secure a minimum share capital of £229,300 to safeguard the future of the space. If the building is not purchased by the community, it will be put onto the private market and the community space could be lost forever, the fundraiser reads.
"Having something on their doorstep and not having to travel out of the area is really important. It's a unique space. It's not just a cafe, it's all the events that happen as well." The space - currently open five days a week - provides a daytime community café that serves freshly made food at an affordable price, a broad programme of over 200 events and activities a year, regular monthly drop-in sessions and is available for private hire.
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Zion hosts a Memories Café, a vital support group on the first Wednesday of each month for those living with or caring for people with memory loss, along with people who have lost a relative to dementia. "Whether they attend to do crafts or to talk with people, and that's really important," Emma said.
One of the most popular drop-in sessions is the monthly history group attended by between 30 and 40 people per session to help to put some local historical content into the area, she explained. "We don't have much control over what we lose from our community but this is something we have control over. We can make sure it stays here for future generations."
Zion converted to a community benefits society back in February to allow people to invest in the community share offer, which means those who invest in Zion will get a vote to have a say on what happens to the venue in the future. "We're in a fortunate position where we get first refusal, so we're just trying to do everything that we can that it stays as it is and open to all of the community."
The minimum investment is £100 with a projected return for investors, although residents of BS13 can back Zion for a £50 investment. If the Community Share Offer is successful, Zion will be owned by the community. It will be run day-to-day by staff but will be guided by the Trustees and all members who invest and get involved.
On Monday (April 25), the community raised £22,570 on the first day after a launch event held at the space, but there are just six weeks to secure the rest of the funding to save Zion. The project will only be funded if at least £249,300 is pledged through their crowdfunder by June 24 at 12.05am.
Emma added: "I have to - as well as the other directors - make this effort to try and keep it. If we don't do anything, we can't just keep on thinking 'we should have done something about that'. This is our opportunity."
For more information about the community share offer, visit one of their information drop-in sessions on Wednesday, April 27 between 10am and 12pm or Tuesday, May 3 from 6pm to 8pm. Visit their website for more contact information.
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