Ideas being developed for new waterside community centre in Brimscombe Port

Ideas are being developed for the new building which would be part of the multi-million pound regeneration project at Brimscombe Port.

Brimscombe and Thrupp Parish Council has included a new community centre as a focal point in its overall wishes for the scheme, which is still in its early stages.

Initial ideas include a kitchen and foyer café with outside seating area, safe toddler play-space, large hall with seating for 100 people and a couple of smaller meeting rooms.

There could also be space for a youth drop-in area with pool, bar football and outside table tennis, as well as a hot-desking business start-up area for the self-employed.

As part of an ongoing public consultation, led by the Community Enterprise Centre Development Group, residents in the area are being asked to share their views and help progress and shape the proposals.

Negotiations are currently underway between the district and parish council and the community as to the location, use, cost and design of the public facility.

While nothing has yet been formally agreed, it is hoped the building will sit at the heart of the canal-side development and act as a social hub for the entire community.

Councillors want the facility to also serve the port’s 200 new homes, new and existing businesses in the surrounding area, and visitors and tourists.

It would replace the ageing Brimscombe and Thrupp Social Centre on London Road, which could possibly be sold or rented to fund the new venture.

Martin Whiteside, district councillor for Brimscombe, (pictured) said: “I want to stress that this is still in the very early stages, so nothing has yet been agreed.

“This project is still very much a work in progress and many things still have to be decided.

“Negotiations are still underway and it will be another three or four months before we are able to get a formal plan together.

“In the meantime we are asking residents to please get in touch and tell us what they think of these initial ideas. We’re really keen to hear your opinions.”

As well as the key community components, a number of other possible uses have been suggested for the two-storey building if funding and demand allowed it.

These include a heritage centre for the canal and port area, outdoor gym equipment, health service provision, children’s centre provision and adult education provision.

There could also be storage space for different user groups, parking and toilets and other facilities for port visitors and boaters.

Plans to keep the centre financially viable might see it available to rent out for events such as training courses, fitness events or weddings.

Initial estimates of the build cost stand at between £1.2 and £1.5 million.

Cllr Whiteside said the negotiations for the financial side of the project were currently being discussed, but suggested that most of the funding would come from the parish council through some kind of long-term mortgage agreement.

Preliminary projections suggest the centre would be able to cover its running and maintenance costs and return a revenue of £12,000 per year towards loan repayment.

Meanwhile, £20,000 of initial development funding is being applied for through the ‘Bright Ideas’ Fund.

As landlord of the site, it has also been suggested Stroud District Council might also consider investing in the enterprise centre.

Architects drew up the initial concept designs for the facility with funding from Brimscombe and Thrupp Parish Council.

It comes after several community meetings and a community survey developed a vision for the centre.

The idea for a new building was first discussed in a series of community meetings about the port project in 2003 and 2004.

Now community leaders are seeking feedback from residents on the architect’s plans, what should be included, and if they would be prepared to help develop the project.

If you want to know more or can help in any way contact Cllr Whiteside on whiteside@gn.apc.org or ring 01453 757874.