News / Bristol
Bid to secure future of Hamilton House for community use
The social enterprise that has managed Hamilton House for almost a decade hopes to be able to buy the building in order to secure the space for community use.
Coexist has incubated Hamilton House’s community of 500-strong charities, artists, musicians and small businesses since 2008 and have now submitted a preferential formal bid for ownership of the Stokes Croft building.
As the building’s owners potentially seek to sell the 55,000 square feet five-storey building, Coexist’s vision for its future includes a new rooftop eco-hostel and onsite crèche facility.
is needed now More than ever
Developers may still choose to put Hamilton House on the market, but if Coexist’s bid is successful they will launch a large Community Share Offer in order to raise the money to buy the building.
Almost 10,000 events take place at Hamilton House every year under Coexist’s management, with more than half a million people coming through its doors annually.
More than half a million people come through Hamilton House’s doors every year
Coexist is not the only bidder interested in taking ownership of Hamilton House. Despite owners Connolly & Callaghan not having marketed the property, Bristol24/7 understands that several unsolicited offers have been made by a variety of property developers with offers up to £7.5m.
Coexist non-executive Jamie Pike said: “We’ve got many plans we’re excited to bring to life in our quest to create a truly sustainable, financially viable and secure social enterprise should we win the bid.
“We believe Hamilton House under our ownership has the potential to be an even more valuable space for the people and organisations within our community.”
A spokesperson for Connolly & Callaghan said: “At the request of Coexist, we gave formal notice in November 2016 to Bristol City Council of intention to sell, which provided a six-month moratorium period during which eligible community groups such as Coexist could make preferential formal bids.
“Going forward, our intention is to maintain a flexible approach towards the future of Hamilton House. We hope to see Coexist continue its work in community building, and to also see Coexist build its own long-term social, environmental and financial stability.”
For more information, visit www.hamiltonhouse.org.uk/our-future.
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