News / southmead
Campaign to save youth centre from being sold by council
There has been an angry reaction to the proposed sale of a community hub in north Bristol.
A petition launched to save the youth centre and memorial garden in Southmead has already amassed almost 800 signatures.
Southmead and the wider local area stand to lose two important community assets if Bristol City Council goes ahead with its planned public auction sale of the Southmead Youth Centre and former Southmead Library buildings on Greystoke Avenue along with the adjoining memorial garden in October.
is needed now More than ever
The martial arts club is owned and run by brothers Luke and Clayton Chamberlain – photo: Milan Perera
Luke Chamberlain, a martial arts instructor, said that he started the petition in order to force the city council into a pre-auction sale where the facilities will still remain in the community.
He feared that should it go to a public auction, “we would be blown out of water by a developer or individual with private or commercial interest”.
Chamberlain told Bristol24/7: “It is crucial for the people of Southmead and surrounding BS10 area that both the memorial garden and martial arts club operating in the youth centre buildings are retained.
“The memorial garden serves as a remembrance of the lives of three young local people tragically lost in the same year some 20 years ago: Lee Webb, Wayne Goldsmith and Alan Stevens.
The garden is used by young and old and provides a place that represents positivity in an area that desperately needs it.”
Luke Chamberlain, a Southmead-based martial arts instructor launched the petition to retain the former youth club, library building and the adjacent memorial garden – photo: Milan Perera
Chamberlain added: “The martial arts club and its social impact programme provides a crucial service for so many people in the local community that are vulnerable and in need.
“Without which the physical and mental health of the hundreds that it serves would be severely negatively impacted should it be lost.”
When youth services were lost due to the impact of the pandemic in October 2020, the youth centre building was taken on by Roger Gracie Academy martial arts club.
The club has since grown to more than 500 members including children and adults from all backgrounds and walks of life across north Bristol.
The club has had a sizable social impact on the local community which includes a programme supporting over 30 women from the area with free weekly women’s only self-defence jiu jitsu class.
The memorial garden was built to commemorate three young people who tragically died in 2005 – photo: Milan Perera
The memorial garden is maintained by local resident and former youth worker, Billy Cockram, along with support from the Roger Gracie martial arts club who have also maintained and developed the youth centre building into a thriving space.
While showing Bristol24/7 the memorial garden, Chamberlain said that every element was lovingly put together by the community such as the decorative wrought iron panels on the fence being designed and crafted by the users of the youth centre.
Their plans are to continue their work along with retaining the current care service in the former Southmead library building.
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Despite the previous Labour administration earmarking the former library and youth club for sale, a newly elected Labour councillor called the council decision to sell the building “unfathomable”.
Labour councillor for Southmead, Kaz Self, said: “The martial arts club is a much valued community asset.
“It seems unfathomable to me that – in a time of rising youth violence – the council is going ahead with selling off this building and potentially forcing the club out of Southmead.
“The garden at the rear of the club was created in memory of three young people who lost their lives.
“Any proposal to relocate it is disrespectful to the local community who understand the significance of this space.”
The former Southmead Library buildings on Greystoke Avenue is also earmarked for sale in October – photo: Milan Perera
A spokesperson for Bristol City Council said: “The former Southmead Library and Youth Centre building is one of a number of council properties that were earmarked for repurposing or sale by cabinet in September 2023.
“Following a review, it became apparent the building did not meet the requirements of current council services and is now being put up for sale.
“Officers have approached a local community group to support the relocation of the memorial garden to ensure this well-loved part of Southmead remains accessible for residents following the sale of the building.
“Along with local authorities across the country, we are facing enormous financial challenges in delivering statutory duties and are having to make difficult decisions on how to spend shrinking budgets and where money can be saved.
“Streamlining our estate to cut running costs and provide income by selling property we own will help in reducing our deficit.”
Main photo: Milan Perera
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